Antinuclear

Radiation contaminated sailors ignored by Australian government

Compensation plea over nuclear test MIKE DUFFY, 7NEWS SYDNEY 21 Jan 14  A veterans’ support group says it is disgusted by the treatment of sailors left sick with cancer after taking part in nuclear tests in the 1950s.

The conscripts claim they’ve been abandoned despite other servicemen receiving healthcare assistance.Over 60 years ago, back in October 1952, an Australian atomic test gave Britain membership to the nuclear club.

‘What no officer wants to face’ The cloud that appeared over the islands of Monte Bello, off Western Australia’s north coast, was proof Britain had the bomb.

Operation Hurricane was a major operation for the Australian Navy, but not everyone involved knew what they were in for.

Michael Rowe was a teenager, a conscripted national serviceman on HMAS Murchison.“When we got there we didn’t know why we were there,” he said.
“Then one morning we were told to assemble on deck we were going to witness the first British atomic bomb explosion. So we did as we were told and assembled on deck in fully protective outfits of sandals and shorts. “Knowing what we know now, they wouldn’t have had us there exposed as we were.”

Since speaking to 7News, Michael has sadly passed away, claimed by a cancer he believed was caused by radiation.

He lobbied for the same healthcare assistance afforded to those veterans judged to be closer to the blast.

Veterans activist Sandy Godfrey said:” These are the forgotten veterans of Australia who have just been ignored by the government.”……..http://aunews.yahoo.com/nsw/a/20893335/veterans-plea/news.yahoo.com/nsw/a/20893335/veterans-plea/

January 21, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, health, weapons and war