Oakey water contamination: Defence refuses residents’ requests to pay for blood tests

THE Defence Department has written to Oakey residents, telling them their desperate requests for subsidised blood testing for their families have been denied.

More than 30 Oakey locals met in the centre of town yesterday to send a message to Defence that they deserved to be heard. Picture: Mark Calleja

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THE Defence Department has written to Oakey residents, telling them their desperate requests for subsidised blood testing for their families have been denied.

It comes as the regional town continues its David and Goliath battle with Defence over the poisoning of their underground water supply from firefighting foam containing toxic perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The chemicals have been found in Oakey blood tests at levels up to 18 times the Australian average, prompting families across the Darling Downs region to demand further assistance from Defence.

The creek which runs around Oakey. Defence says it won’t run further tests because there is no “globally accepted specific health conditions” linked to exposure to PFOS and PFOA.

In a letter, obtained by The Courier-Mail, Darling Downs Base Supporting Manager Mark O’Connell said Defence would not run further tests because there was no “globally accepted specific health conditions” that could be linked to exposure to PFOS and PFOA.

“Australia does not currently have national health or ecological ... guidelines for PFOS/PFOA exposure,” Mr O’Connell said.

“Blood tests cannot determine if the PFC levels in a person’s body will make them sick now or later in life”.

According to Mr O’Connell, the town’s initial batch of 75 blood tests was the only public health initiative that Defence would commit to.

Defence Minister Marise Payne is yet to visit Oakey. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A Defence spokesperson confirmed a selection of residents who had requested blood tests were sent a letter this week.

When asked if the department could accept that residents in the town were concerned about elevated levels in their children the spokesperson said “health advice is a matter for state health authorities”.

Oakey resident Kathryn Cherry received the letter yesterday and said she was “so angry” at the decision.

“We have fallen through the cracks again,” Ms Cherry said. “It feels like this is just a joke to them but I feel physically ill thinking of all the people that should be getting tested”.

Shine Lawyers says the move shows Defence is dodging its responsibilities to the ­people of Oakey yet again. Picture: Mark Calleja

Shine Lawyers partner Peter Shannon said the move showed Defence was dodging its responsibilities to the ­people of Oakey yet again.

“Our government has a duty of care to monitor and evaluate areas of public health concern and put into place measurements to support and protect those communities,” Mr Shannon said.

Despite a Senate inquiry recommending ongoing blood tests, voluntary acquisition of properties and mental health support, Ms Shannon said the town had been completely abandoned.

More than 30 locals met in the centre of town yesterday to send a message to Defence that they deserved to be heard.

The group’s demands ranged from blood tests to property values, but they were united in their desperate plea for answers.

Defence Minister Marise Payne has yet to commit to meeting residents before the July 2 election, saying she will visit the town “in due course”.