Defence Legal & DVA 16/01/26
- agentorangechild
- Jan 16
- 1 min read
Sons & Daughters Program email
Cc to Defence Legal
Dear DVA,
Thank you for your letter dated 15 January 2026.
I acknowledge your confirmation that, under the current operation of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, there is no legal avenue available for the children of Vietnam veterans to have service-related harm assessed or recognised.
Your correspondence clearly demonstrates the legislative gap that excludes second-generation children from any form of remedy, despite well-documented international findings on intergenerational harm arising from toxic exposure.
This letter has now been formally filed as evidence in international proceedings in both The Hague and Geneva.
I note that Australia’s Universal Periodic Review will take place on 26 January 2026, where systemic legislative exclusions and their human rights consequences are subject to scrutiny.
I also note the October 2025 statement by UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights Dr Marcos Orellana confirming that toxic remnants of war pose a grave threat to human rights and to the health and lives of present and future generations, directly reinforcing the international relevance of this exclusion.
The toxic agent at issue is dioxin (TCDD), the persistent organic pollutant used in Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, which is internationally recognised as causing long-term and intergenerational harm.
Thank you for confirming the position of the Department on the record.
Warm Agent Orange Burns regards,
Danielle Stevens
Geneva AP1 Article 77 Protected Person
We will always be a child of a Vietnam Veteran
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