Connors v Repatriation Commission [2000] FCA 783

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Connors v Repatriation Commission [2000] FCA 783

JOHN WILLIAM THOMAS CONNORS v REPATRIATION COMMISSION V 380 of 1998 KENNY J MELBOURNE 13 JUNE 2000

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VG 380 OF 1998

BETWEEN: JOHN WILLIAM THOMAS CONNORS

Applicant

AND: REPATRIATION COMMISSION

Respondent

JUDGE: KENNY J

DATE: 13 JUNE 2000

PLACE: MELBOURNE

CORRIGENDA 1. In paragraph 19, line 7 of the Reasons for Judgment of Justice Kenny handed down on 13 June 2000, replace reference to "Commission" and insert "respondent". AMANDA FOLEY Associate to Justice Kenny

13 June 2000

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Connors v Repatriation Commission [2000] FCA 783

VETERANS AFFAIRS – War-caused injury or disease – appeal from decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal – whether veteran's condition of lumbar spondylosis was war-caused – whether Statement of Principles upholds a hypothesis connecting veteran's disease with service where the material does not raise or point to an essential factor.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, s 44(1) Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, s 9, s 13, s 119, s 120, s 120A, s 196B(3) Repatriation Commission v Deledio (1998) 83 FCR 82 applied Deledio v Repatriation Commission (1997) 25 AAR 396 referred Repatriation Commission v O'Brien (1985) 155 CLR 422 referred East v Repatriation Commission (1987) 16 FCR 517 applied Repatriation Commission v Bey (1997) 79 FCR 364 discussed Bushell v Repatriation Commission (1992) 175 CLR 408 discussed Repatriation Commission v McKenna (1998) 28 AAR 7 referred McKenna v Repatriation Commission v McKenna (1999) 86 FCR 144 applied Repatriation Commission v Gosewinckel [1999] FCA 1273 followed Byrnes v Repatriation Commission (1993) 177 CLR 564 discussed Repatriation Commission v Stares (1996) 66 FCR 594 referred Shelton v Repatriation Commission (1999) 85 FCR 587 referred