Antinuclear

Australia’s nuclear veterans denied legal support by govt

Nuclear test victims want cash Independent Weekly DANIELLE FORSYTH 30 Jan, 2010 Veterans from atomic bomb tests at Maralinga and Emu Field in the South Australian outback say they are forgotten victims of Australia’s war history, denied compensation and legal support by the Federal Government.

Australian Nuclear Veterans Association national president Ric Johnstone says he cannot understand why the Government continues to “sweep us under the rug”.A group of 200 Australian veterans and their families has joined compatriots from the UK, New Zealand and Fiji in a class action against the British Government, but the Federal Government has refused to involve itself in the case.

Veterans are also upset the Government has not recognised the service of the 8000 defence personal in the tests as ‘hazardous’, despite recommendations of an earlier Government investigation.A ‘hazardous’ rating would entitle veterans to a Gold Class health card and provide a pension for eligible widows or widowers.

……………In 1993, the Keating Government accepted a ₤20 million compensation payout from the British Government, about $190 million in today’s money, but not one dollar made it to the veterans.Mr Griffin says the full amount was put toward the rehabilitation of land at Maralinga and Emu Fields, in accordance with the recommendations of Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia.Seventeen atomic bombs were detonated at Maralinga in north-western SA and the Monte Bello Islands off WA’s Pilbara coast between 1952 and 1958.Nuclear test victims want cash – Local News – News – General – The Independent Weekly

January 30, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, legal | antinuclear, Australia, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons, radioactive