VETERANS’ REVIEW BOARD NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced the appointment of eight new Members to the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB).

Mr Billson said that one full-time Senior Member, three part-time Senior Members and four part-time Members had been appointed to the Board.

The VRB is an independent tribunal that reviews decisions or determinations of the Repatriation and Military Rehabilitation & Compensation Commissions. The VRB also reviews determinations of the service chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force in relation to rehabilitation for serving members of the Defence Force.

"These new appointees have the experience and knowledge to make an effective contribution to the VRB," Mr Billson said.  "They include a mix of strong military backgrounds, extensive legal experience, and an understanding of merits review procedures that is necessary in such a position.

"The addition of new Members will ensure that veterans who choose to review the outcome of a claim will continue to receive the highest standard of procedural fairness," Mr Billson said.

The new Members have each been appointed for a period of two years, and join the 40 current Members, bringing total membership of the Board to 48.

"I congratulate the new Members of the Board, and welcome the experience and knowledge they will bring to the VRB," Mr Billson said.

The appointments are:
Senior full-time Member
Mr Ivan Cahill

Senior part-time Members
Mr Edward Bentram Mark Jolly, Ms Andrea Marilyn Hall-Brown and Ms Amanda MacDonald

Part-time Members
Mr Gary Charles Barrow, Mr Graham Michael Barter, Mr Andrew Harding Braban and Mr Victor Kent Patrick RFD

Media inquiries: Cameron Hill  0408 239 521

Editors Note: a short biography on each of the appointees is attached

NEW APPOINTEES TO THE VETERANS’ REVIEW BOARD

Mr Ivan Cahill
Mr Cahill is a graduate of the University of Queensland, Macquarie University and the Royal Military College Duntroon, and is currently employed as the Director of Litigation with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He previously served in the ADF for 25 years, including two tours of duty in Vietnam and one in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Edward Bentram Mark Jolly
Mr Jolly has a Masters in Law from Melbourne University, and is currently a Barrister in private practice.  He served as a Legal Officer in the Australian Army from 1993-1998 and has retained his commission as a Major. 

Ms Andrea Marilyn Hall-Brown
Ms Hall-Brown is a graduate in Laws and Science, and is currently a Barrister in private practice.  She is a former senior member of the Veterans’ Review Board, having held the position from 1998-2006.

Ms Amanda MacDonald
Ms MacDonald has a Masters of Administrative Law and Policy from the University of Sydney.  She is currently a Member of the Migration Review and Refugee Review Tribunals, after acting as a Senior Member of those Tribunals from 2005-2006.

Mr Gary Charles Barrow
Mr Barrow served as a permanent officer in the Royal Australian Navy from 1960-1986. In 1983 he graduated from the University of Sydney Law School, and also qualified as a Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He has been in private practice as a solicitor since 1986 and has continued to serve as a Naval Reserve officer.

Mr Graham Michael Barter
Mr Barter is a Barrister in private practice currently on full time military duty with the Command Legal Office, Land Headquarters.  He is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, and served in the Australian Army Legal Corps from 1981-1989, and again from 1999.

Mr Andrew Harding Braban
Mr Braban has a Masters in Law from the United States Army Judge Advocate Generals School, and previously served as Chief Legal Officer to the Commander of the International Forces East Timor.  He continues to work for Defence Legal Services and is the Principal Legal Officer for the Queensland College of Teachers.

Mr Victor Kent Patrick RFD
Mr Patrick was a Stipendiary Magistrate and Deputy Coroner of South Australia from 1986-2007.  He also served as a Legal officer in the Australian Army from 1974-1977, and reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve before reaching retirement age.