Thousands of Aussies launch class action for toxic foam compo
In one of the largest class actions in Australian history, more than 40,000 residents living on land contaminated by toxic PFAS chemicals will today sue the government in a fight for millions of dollars in compensation.
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- $92.5 million PFAS payout for Katherine residents
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Tens of thousands of homeowners exposed to toxic firefighting foam used on military bases across the country are suing the federal government after their property prices allegedly plummeted.
The landmark Federal Court class action was launched on Thursday by more than 40,000 residents of Wagga Wagga and Richmond in NSW, Wodonga in Victoria, Darwin in the Northern Territory, Townsville in Queensland, Edinburgh in South Australia and Bullsbrook in Western Australia.
It's one of the largest class actions in Australian history and four times bigger than the lawsuit filed on behalf of survivors of the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.
Groundwater in dozens of communities has become contaminated by poisonous PFAS chemicals used at defence sites from the 1970s until the early 2000s.
Shine Lawyers says the defence department put people’s lives at risk as these poisonous substances have been linked to birth defects, cancers and heart disease – something the government denies.
Locals now want compensation for negligence, claiming some property values have dropped by more than 50 per cent.
Lead applicant Reannan Haswell says she and her partner Beaux Tilley are afraid to let their children drink or bathe from the water supply on their Bullsbrook home, claiming they’re trapped on land that’s become worthless.
“We moved here in 2010 with our family expecting to set up a better life,” Ms Haswell said.
“Now we’ve lost our hope of that happening.”
They’re backed by American activist Erin Brockovich, who rose to international fame in 1993 by helping residents of a tiny United States town claim a whopping $333 million settlement from Pacific Gas and Electric despite having no legal training.
“I feel like I’m in Hinkley, California again,” she said.
While visiting contaminated land owner Colin Butland’s property, Ms Brockovich says “it’s a dangerous chemical and we’re going to have to take action now.”
Mr Butland said the toxins have been found in rivers, crops, livestock and in people’s blood, adding: “no human being should be living in a contaminated area.”
“Our government needs to wake up and help their people,” he said.
It comes after the federal government agreed to pay residents of PFAS-affected communities in Oakey, Katherine and Williamtown a $212.5 million settlement following their class actions.