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Nominal roll completed for atomic test studies.
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Friday 29 June 2001
Embargoed: 8.30pm Adelaide Time, Friday 29 June
NOMINAL ROLL COMPLETED FOR ATOMIC TEST STUDIES
The Coalition Government has completed a preliminary nominal roll of Australians vJho participated in British atomic tests during the 1950s and 196Os, as the first step in conducting mortality and cancer-incidence studies of nuclear veterans, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Scott, announced today.
Addressing the annual congress of the South Australian RSL, Mr Scott said the nominal roll vJas a crucial step in meeting the Liberal and National Parties’ commitment to addressing the health concerns of Australians who took part in the testing program at Monte Belle, Maralinga and Emu.
“The preliminary nominal roll lists 3235 Royal Australian Navy, 1658 Australian Army and 3223 RAAF personnel, as vJell as the names of 8907 civilians who took part in the testing program,” he said.
“The roll will for-m the basis of two scientific studies, one to examine the causes of death and the other to investigate the incidence of cancer amongst this group of Australians.”
Mr Scott said a consultative forum representing the interests of veterans and other participants in the testing program would meet for the first time next month. An announcement was expected in August on the leading researcher who will chair the independent Scientific Advisory Committee to oversee the conduct of the studies.
“These studies will involve comparing the information for the 17 000 people on the roll against national death and cancer registries, to compare mortality and cancer rates to those found in the wider community,” the Minister said.
“This is a major task and when complete will provide valuable information about the nature and extent of any health problems suffered by veterans of the atomic tests.”
Mr Scott stressed that participants in the atomic testing program did not have to wait for the outcome of the mortality and cancer studies to get help from the Government.
“Any Australians who were at or near Monte Belle, Maralinga and Emu and believe they have suffered an illness or injury related to this can apply for compensation through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for military claims or Corncare for civilian claims.”
Mr Scott said the preliminary Atomic Test Participants Nominal Roll vJas available on-line, through the department’s website at wwvJ.dVa.Q(Gg. Veterans or their families vdere encouraged to check their details and ensure they are correct, to provide accurate information for the mortality and cancer studies.
Veterans and their families can find out mere about the nominal roll by contacting WA on its nominal roll hotline, 1800 445 006.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford 02 6277 7820 or 0408 645 787
