Repatriation Commission v Stoddart [2003] FCAFC 300

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Repatriation Commission v Stoddart [2003] FCAFC 300 VETERANS' ENTITLEMENTS – claim for pension – veteran suffering from alcoholic liver damage ("ALD") and post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD") – Statements of Principles ("SOP") to be applied in determining claim for pension – whether open to the Tribunal to conclude that veteran experienced a "severe stressor" as defined in ALD and PTSD SOPs – "threat of death or serious injury" in SOPs can mean actual or perceived threat – whether futile to have claims redetermined by Tribunal

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (Cth), ss 120, 120A Arnott v Repatriation Commission (2001) 106 FCR 83 applied Byrnes v Repatriation Commission (1993) 177 CLR 564 applied Harris v Repatriation Commission (2000) 31 AAR 270 cited Morales v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1995) 60 FCR 550 cited Nguyen v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (1998) 88 FCR 206 cited Repatriation Commission v Deledio (1998) 83 FCR 82 applied Repatriation Commission v Hill [2002] FCAFC 192 applied Repatriation Commission v Thompson (1998) 44 FCR 20 cited S115/00A v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (2001) 180 ALR 561 applied Santa Sabina College v Minister for Education (1995) 58 ALR 527 applied Stoddart v Repatriation Commission (2003) 197 ALR 283affirmed Woodward v Repatriation Commission (2003) 200 ALR 332 applied REPATRIATION COMMISSION v LESLIE STODDART S472 of 2003 CARR, FINN & SUNDBERG JJ 19 DECEMBER 2003 CANBERRA (HEARD IN ADELAIDE)

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY S 472 OF 2003

ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN: REPATRIATION COMMISSION

APPELLANT

AND: LESLIE STODDART

RESPONDENT

JUDGES: CARR, FINN & SUNDBERG JJ