Compensation package sought from the NZ Government by the Vietnam Veterans Action Group (VVAG)

That the NZ Government adopt the Australian Statement of Principals (SOP’s). This is necessary for a consistent diagnosis by Practitioners.
The current system does not give justice to all Veterans. All Veterans must be treated the same for the same conditions. We all fought in the same place at the same time under the same conditions.

The tax we paid in Vietnam paid back with compounded interest. 1 month or less $1000, 1-6 months, $3000, 6-12 months $6000.00 this includes those persons wounded or killed. The ex gratia payment to go to all Vietnam Veterans with qualifying service and the deceased families. The fact that the Government of the time did not declare Vietnam as a war zone does not remove the fact that we were posted to active service and armed combat in a foreign country. This is war and has always been treated as such. The miserliness of the past and present Governments is not acceptable. This way all Vietnam Veterans and their families will at least get something after 40 years of neglect and misfeasance.

A one off ex gratia payment of $1000 per % point of accepted disability with the maximum of 160%. This amount also to be paid to the families of the deceased. In the case of separated families to be divided equally between the families. Families of the veterans, members of which have been disadvantaged by a parents service in Vietnam also to be eligible. This includes spouses/partners and children to receive a ex gratia payment as per % of their disabilities. The Government to accept and pay for all costs associated with the procedure and determination of each case. i.e. doctors/specialist fees, travel, meals and accommodation costs.

This would go a long way to resolve the disgraceful saga by the NZ Government and would be acceptable to the majority of Vietnam Veterans. This a sustainable and fair compensation package. This also would have no bearing on the current war disability & service pension other than to increase the pension rates and a Gold Card for Veterans . The current JIG payments already in place for payment be increased pro rata to the amount listed above.

That a Gold card system be set up for all Veterans similar to the Australian
Gold Card. Those personel who receive a disability pension under a section 23, similar to the TPI or EDA be treated the same with the same benefits.

This would include free medical care for the Veteran and his family regardless
of whether or not it war related. All Veterans deserve this as a part of the compensation package for their Duty and Service for their Country.

The war service pension paid to all service personel is far too low and needs to reflect at least a minium 50% or more of the mean average wage. The ACC is up to 80% of earnings related income whilst incapable of continuing full time employment and whilst incapicitated and due too certain diseases and health disorders that can be attributed to toxic herbicides or other chemicals.

The current payment is inadequate and is an insult to service personel as it keeps them below the poverty line. The Government and the public of New Zealand has a fiduciary responsibility to look after their military.

That the Government meet all the legal costs of our solicitor.

In the agreement of the NZ Government accepting this proposal it is expected that the Government will introduce a budget and legislation to cover this immediately. This is to be implemented within 90 days and paid to the Veterans and families.

About 800 persons have died and too many of our Vietnam Veterans are dying before their time and many more will be dead before this is legislated. The Government are culpable. We can no longer tolerate the situation of losing our mates and the Government misfeasance. The NZ Government had the opportunity to do something constructive for the Vietnam Veterans last year in the Year of the Veteran and failed miserably only currently helping about 21 Veterans, 9 children and 5 spouses. Litigation is now the only answer.

The Court action will expose the collusion and misfeasance of the Government Bodies and persons past and present may find themselves facing criminal charges. There is no statute of limitations on criminal activity and ignorance of law is no excuse. A media conference will be held and persons world wide will be invited to attend with expert witnesses to validate the proceedings.

Even the American Congress has passed an Agent Orange Civilian Bill giving up to $100,000 for victims and families. Recently the British Government paid a pension to a British soldier who spent time in Gagetown Canada for Agent Orange/Dioxin poisoning. Its long overdue for the NZ Government to pay their dues and accept their responsibility. They are in serious breach of the Health Safety and Employment Act.

The Genetic damage which has gone into the grandchildren and only God knows how many more generations will be affected by the latent affect of Agent Orange/dioxin poisoning. The amount of $7,000,000 with the interest to pay for persons affected by and not covered by the current criteria. All cancers to be diagnosed as being linked and attributable to the Agent Orange/Dioxin poisoning. Documentation from peer reviews clearly believe this and the reverse onus of proof must apply, this is a pitiful amount and needs to be increased to at least $50,000,000 to be held in trust for 100 years. With inflation its not going to be much anyway and can be reviewed at anytime its deemed necessary. This to be agreed on by all affected parties.

This proposed package is not negotiable. The NZ Government, NZRSA and EVSA have had their chance. The Government are getting a second chance to bow out gracefully by accepting the proposed changes. Not only will it resolve nearly 4 decades of failure of duty of care and misfeasance it will also show to the rest of the world that NZ has a responsible Government.

The Canadian Government have sent a cheque of $38,000 to one of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans, as compensation for any possible effects of dioxin poisoning from Gage Town or Viet Nam. The Canadian Government have also offered a 94.5 million dollar compensation payment for 3500 personnel serving in Gage Town 1966 to 1967 when the base was sprayed with Agent Orange,. This equates to around CAD- $20,000 per person. The Australian Government have been successfully sued for compensation packages up to 2.2 million dollars per person; for PTSD from the Voyager Disaster

In the event that the Government do not accept these proposed changes, litigation will immediately follow and there will be no settlement out of court and names and everything will be exposed and charges will be laid.