Veterans' Entitlements and Military Compensation Law

This work is the only work in Australia devoted to the law of military compensation and veteran's entitlements. Central to these topics is the Veterans' Entitlements Act and the annotation of that difficult legislation is the centre-piece of the work. In providing the commentary to the Act the book is thorough and careful and, unlike some works of annotated legislation, the analysis is carefully grouped rather than the mere provision of cases in a chronological manner. This is not surprising given the authors are Emeritus Professor Robin Creyke of the ANU who is also member of a number of administrative boards and Peter Sutherland who is an experienced author of works concerning this type of legislation. An important part of this new work is that it covers and provides analysis of the new unified military compensation scheme introduced by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). The work is a necessary companion for anyone practicing in the area of assisting veterans in obtaining entitlement to pensions and benefits. - Queensland Law Reporter - 5 August 2016 - [2016] 30 QLR As an annotated version of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 ('the Act'), this textbook is a highly valuable resource for practitioners engaged in the practice of veterans' entitlements law. The third edition will continue the tradition set by its predecessors. Read full review... - Kate Blackford Slack, Hearsay, June 2016, 75 The annotation form is driven by practical objectives to distil an extensive body of case law emerging over many decades into an efficient guide to the present operation of the compensation regime for military service. In this work the analysis is clear, accessible and supported by detailed reference to authorities and aids to interpretation. The authors expressed desire to honour those members of their families who served Australia and New Zealand as members of military forces has produced as clear a guide to the rights of claimants as the legislation and extensive judicial determinations can allow. Read full review... - Jane Merkel, Bar News, NSW Bar Association, Winter 2016 Reviews of previous editions: This new publication [first edition] is excellent. At long last we have a detailed analysis of the laws pertaining to the various entitlements of veterans. ... The format is very easy to follow, all relevant legislation is identified and discussed and I have not been able to identify any relevant cases that have not been considered. ... I applaud the authors for a very well done job and would encourage anyone who has to give advice to veterans on their potential entitlements, to obtain a copy of this book. It is highly recommended. - Tasmanian Law Society Newsletter, November 2000 The book [first edition] is written in annotation style rather than thematically. Specifically the book offers detailed annotations of the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986. The discussion, however, is extensive - the book has over 600 pages including case tables and appendices. The authors provide useful explanations from a legal perspective, with in-depth consideration of legislative background, including explanatory memoranda; discussion of case law; and cross-referencing throughout the Act. The topic facilitates the approach taken by the authors in that the Act is divided into parts containing discrete topics. The discussion of cases is helpful, in that facts of precedent cases are outlined and judgments strategically quoted. The presentation of precedent material is valuable when advising veterans, particularly as many of the relevant legal principles derive from administrative tribunals, often difficult to access. ... The text is well written and clearly expressed, and illustrations and graphics depicting individual veterans bring a sense of relevance and humanity not common to legal books. - Proctor, Queensland Law Society, July 2001