Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2004Q01000:body:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2004Q01000
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 2770–5686

notwithstanding any limitations contained in paragraph (a), the nature and extent of the safety precautions taken, during the disposal at any time by or on behalf of Australia of surplus chemical agents that were in Vietnam during the period commencing on 31 July 1962 and ending at the expiration of 11 January 1973;

           AND We declare that in these Our Letters Patent -

          (l) the expression "Australian personnel" means any persons, including members of the Australian Defence Force, who were engaged in performing defence service or any other function for or on behalf of Australia in Vietnam, whether as employees or otherwise;

          (m) the expression "chemical agents" includes any herbicides (including defoliants), insecticides or chemical irritants; and

          (n) the expression "Vietnam" means the areas specified in the First and Fifth Schedules to the Repatriation (Special Areas) Regulations in force under the Repatriation (Special Overseas Service) Act 1962:

       AND We require you to make such recommendations arising out of your inquiry as you think appropriate, including recommendations regarding the legislative or administrative changes, if any, that are necessary or desirable and the adequacy of present assistance available to Australian personnel:

       AND, in particular, We require you to make such recommendations as you consider appropriate in relation to assistance which any Government Department may be able to give relating to the health problems of Australian personnel and the power of a Department to grant, and the adequacy of the present method of granting, assistance, with a view to ensuring that Australian personnel receive the full benefit of all available assistance:

       AND We direct that, in making your inquiry, you have regard to any other matters which may appear to you to be relevant to any of paragraphs (a) to (k) (inclusive):

       AND We further direct that, in making your inquiry, you have regard to the records kept by the Defence Force and to published studies and reports relating to the use and effects of chemical agents:

       AND We require you as expeditiously as possible to make your inquiry and, not later than 30 June 1984 or such later date as We may be pleased to fix, to furnish to Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia a report of the results of your inquiry and your recommendations.

                     WITNESS His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Ninian Martin Stephen, a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Knight of the Order of Australia, Knight Grand Cross of The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of The Royal Victorian Order, Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Knight of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, Governor-General of the