Fed: Hill says defence not harsh on compo claims

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2005
Fed: Hill says defence not harsh on compo claims

Defence Minister ROBERT HILL denies the Australian Defence Force is excessively harsh
in the way it fights compensation claims by former personnel.

Senator HILL says those entitled to compensation should be compensated, and the Defence
Force has no interest in treating people unfairly.

But he says the government also has a responsibility to taxpayers to ensure that cases
for compensation are properly made out.

His comments follow a report in today's Bulletin magazine that the ADF is spending
millions of taxpayers' dollars fighting compensation cases against former service personnel
left mentally scarred by their military service.

The report claims the ADF is using a team of 500 lawyers in legal battles over compensation
with hundreds of former peacekeepers and war veterans.

AAP RTV mb/sb/ibw/rt

KEYWORD: DEFENCE HILL (CANBERRA)

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