Greens push for Inquiry and assistance to Maralinga nuclear veterans and civilians affected

$130m vow for Maralinga veterans JARED OWENS, The Weekend Australian, May 28-29, p.29 Survivors of British nuclear testing in outback South Australia would receive a special “atomic survivors’ healthcare card” under a $130 million redress scheme being pushed by the Greens.

The policy, timed to coincide with Barack Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima, includes an inquiry into the health effects of the nuclear testing and compensation for those who abandoned or were removed from their homes to escape the radiation.

Between 1952 and 1963 the Menzies government permitted nuclear testing at the Monte Bello Islands, off the West Australian coast, and at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia.

“Successive Australian governments ignored the humanitarian consequences of the British atomic weapons tests. It is now time for Australia to acknowledge the devastating health impacts suffered by ADF veterans and provide immediate health support from radiation fallout,” Greens co-deputy leader Scott Ludlam said, noting many Aboriginal people were driven from their traditional lands.

The civilian healthcare card would give “priority treatment” for medical conditions caused by radiation exposure and would be available to descendants who display “intergenerational health impacts”. Affected military personnel would receive a veterans’ gold card providing support for all conditions.

The Greens also want Australia to support UN efforts to abolish nuclear weapons.