Department of Repatriation and Compensation
12 June 1974 – 22 December 1975
Renamed Department of Repatriation in 1975.
Department of State responsible for repatriation benefits for veterans and their dependants (war and service pensions, medical treatment and repatriation hospitals) and for Commonwealth compensation schemes, chiefly workers' compensation for Commonwealth Government employees.
Names over time
- Department of Repatriation and Compensation1974–1975
- Department of Repatriation1975–1976
- Department of Veterans' Affairs1976–present
How it came into existence
Created on 12 June 1974 by the second Whitlam ministry, replacing the Repatriation Department and adding a broader compensation role, including compensation for Commonwealth Government employees under the Compensation (Commonwealth Government Employees) Act 1971 and seamen's compensation. John Wheeldon was Minister for Repatriation and Compensation until 11 November 1975, followed by Don Chipp in the caretaker ministry; Richard Kingsland, chairman of the Repatriation Commission, headed the department.
- War and service pensions
- Medical treatment and repatriation hospitals
- Support for the Repatriation Commission
How it ended
Replaced on 22 December 1975 by the Department of Repatriation, created by the Fraser government without the Commonwealth employees' compensation functions.
- Repatriation pensions and benefits
- Medical treatment and repatriation hospitals
- Support for the Repatriation Commission
Main functions
- War and service pensions for veterans and their dependants
- Medical treatment and repatriation hospitals
- Support for the Repatriation Commission
- Compensation for Commonwealth Government employees (Commissioner for Employees' Compensation)
- Seamen's compensation and other Commonwealth compensation matters
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975 (took effect as it ended)
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.