DECLARATION – MALIGNANT NEOPLASM OF THE PROSTATE – ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

Subsection 196B(9) of the

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986

The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority), under subsection 196B(9) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (the Act), makes the following declaration in respect of the focussed review of the contents of the Statements of Principles in force under the Act concerning malignant neoplasm of the prostate, Instrument Nos. 53 and 54 of 2014, as amended. 

The investigation related to asbestos exposure. The Notice of Investigation was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 1 June 2021.

Following the investigation, the Authority declares that it does not propose to amend Statements of Principles, Instrument Nos. 53 and 54 of 2014, as amended, to include factors relating to asbestos exposure.  The sound medical-scientific evidence available to the Authority, including the new sound medical-scientific evidence, does not establish that there is at least a reasonable hypothesis that asbestos exposure is a factor for malignant neoplasm of the prostate.

Consequently, the sound medical-scientific evidence is not sufficient to justify an amendment to the Statements of Principles, Nos. 53 and 54 of 2014, as amended, already determined in respect of malignant neoplasm of the prostate, to include factors relating to asbestos exposure.