Nearly 60 years later, a few of Australia’s nuclear veterans will get some government help
British nuclear test compensation victory for RAAF personnel, Adelaide Now, September 22, 2011 A SMALL number of veterans of British nuclear tests conducted in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s will now be entitled to health care and compensation. Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon said the former RAAF personnel had previously been excluded as their involvement fell outside the currently legislated nuclear test areas or time periods. Mr Snowdon said others could also be eligible.
“The quality of the records from the test period, and the secrecy surrounding the operation, means that it is impossible to rule out the likelihood that new information may come to light which warrants further extension of coverage to additional groups of participants,” he told Federal Parliament.
Mr Snowdon said the Department of Veterans Affairs had received claims from a small number of personnel not currently eligible for compensation and health care from their participation in the British nuclear test program.
He said they were involved in the maintenance, transporting or decontamination of aircraft used in the nuclear test program outside the currently legislated nuclear test areas or time periods.
The maintenance and decontamination of the aircraft – mostly Canberra bombers – took place at Woomera and the Edinburgh air base, near Salisbury. Britain exploded seven atomic bombs in the South Australian outback in 1956-57 but continued the nuclear test program through to May 1963 with a large number of minor trials of items such as nuclear initiators. Nuclear test veterans have long sought a better deal, arguing that their health was affected by radiation exposure.
Debate on the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Participants in British Nuclear Tests) Bill 2011 was adjourned….http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/british-nuclear-test-compensation-victory-for-raaf-personnel/story-e6frea83-1226143449967
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