Forbes v Repatriation Commission [2000] FCA 328

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Forbes v Repatriation Commission [2000] FCA 328 VETERANS' AFFAIRS – disability pension – special rate – whether Tribunal in error of law in concluding the veteran was by reason of incapacity from war-caused condition "alone" prevented from continuing to undertake remunerative work – whether Tribunal in error of law in understanding the word "alone" – whether Tribunal in error of law in not regarding finding of causative effect of war-caused condition as conclusive – whether Tribunal in error of law in combining consideration of war-caused condition and non war-caused condition. Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) s 44(1) Veterans' Entitlement Act 1986 (Cth) s 24

Flentjar v Repatriation Commission (1998) 48 ALD 1, applied Banovich v Repatriation Commission (1986) 69 ALR 395, referred to Starcevich v Repatriation Commission (1987) 18 FCR 221, referred to Repatriation Commission v Smith (1987) 15 FCR 327, considered Cavell v Repatriation Commission (1988) 9 AAR 534, applied Re Easton and Repatriation Commission (1987) 6 AAR 558, applied Repatriation Commission v Strickland (1990) 22 ALD 10, distinguished Moorcroft v Repatriation Commission [1999] FCA 862, not followed Turnbull v Repatriation Commission (Merkel J, Federal Court of Australia, 21 May 1997, unreported), followed Jackman v Repatriation Commission (Tamberlin J, Federal Court of Australia, 30 June 1997, unreported), followed RONALD McEWAN FORBES v REPATRIATION COMMISSION W100 OF 1999 R D NICHOLSON J 24 MARCH 2000 PERTH

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY W100 OF 1999

BETWEEN: RONALD McEWAN FORBES

Applicant

AND: REPATRIATION COMMISSION

Respondent

JUDGE: R D NICHOLSON J

DATE OF ORDER: 24 MARCH 2000