20 Jul 2009

 

Peter Mitchell

167 Landing Drive

The Lakes

TAURANGA 3112

 

Dear Mr Mitchell

 

Thank you for your letter of 4th June 2009 regarding Mururoa veterans and the presumptive lists.

 

The presumptive lists are based on those which operate in the United States.  These lists are based on medical and scientific evidence relating to the health impacts of exposure to ionizing radiation. I have enclosed an information sheet explaining the lists so that you can share this with the membership of the Mururoa Veterans' Society.

 

The use of the presumptive lists does not prevent Mururoa veterans making an application for any disability that they believe is attributable to, or aggravated by, their service. The presumptive list simply means that if the veteran has been diagnosed with one of the conditiions on the list it is automatically accepted as being due to service.

 

I acknowledge your suggestion of additional conditions which the Mururoa Veterans' Society would like to be added to the presumptive list.  The composition of the presumptive lists will be one of the issues considered by the newly formed Expert Panel on Veterans' Health.

 

I acknowledge the work the Mururoa Veterans' Society is doing on behalf of the Nuclear Test veteran community and I look forward to a continuing association.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Hon Judith Collins

Minister of Veterans' Affairs