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Australian nuclear veterans join British class action

CLASS ACTION BY NUCLEAR VETERANS HEADED BY SYDNEY LEGAL TEAM – NO WIN NO ;FEE December 31, 2009 by Coober Pedy Regional Times Surviving Australian veterans of the British nuclear tests at Maralinga, Monte Bello Island and Christmas Island in the 1950s and 60s are joining British and other nuclear veterans in taking the British government to court in what could be one of the most significant compensation cases in legal history.

Thousands of servicemen were ordered into the radiation zones and forced to clean radiated planes and vehicles during the 17 nuclear bomb blasts at the three sites between 1952 and 1958, as well as dozens of secret smaller nuclear tests up to 1963. The men developed cancers at three times the rate of other men. Many of their children and grandchildren have been born with deformities.

Submissions to the Senate Committee

Fallout Map appears in this submission by Paul Langley, a soldier who served at the  Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME)  Radiac Centre – where military radiation detectors were repaired. Paul Langley’s own exposure to radiation was due to stored radioisotopes used to calibrate instruments in the course of repairing radiation testing equipment.  At the time the Radiac Centre also played a role in identifying fallout from the then French Nuclear tests as the fallout arrived in Australia.

Stacks/The Law Firm has agreed to represent The Australian Nuclear Veterans Association in the legal battle to take place in London in 2010.

Australian ex-servicemen, who were exposed to radiation and used as virtual guinea pigs during the nuclear tests, will join 1000 British ex-servicemen and widows who, after a long legal battle, won the right to take the UK Ministry of Defence to court in a class action.

It is a race against time as applications have to be lodged before a legal deadline of May 2010. Bad health and high death rates means that of the original 8,000 Australian nuclear veterans it is believed only 2,000 are still alive.

“The UK courts offer the best chance for the Australian nuclear veterans to win their case. The Australian courts have a statute of limitations which would be difficult to surmount,” Mr Goudkamp said.

The class action could include up to 1,500 surviving British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian ex-servicemen who were deliberately exposed to radiation from the nuclear tests. Their widows can also be part of the class action.

About 100 Australian veterans are ready to join the class action, but Mr Goudkamp is keen to hear from the hundreds of other nuclear veterans and their families who might wish to be part of the class action. They are urged to contact Mr Goudkamp via the law firm’s website www.stacksgoudkamp.com.au.
CLASS ACTION BY NUCLEAR VETERANS HEADED BY SYDNEY LEGAL TEAM – NO WIN NO FEE

December 31, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Legal | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear weapons, radioactive