Senator Allison asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 11 July 2003:

With reference to US Army Regulation 40-5 which, in 1998, said `bioassay procedures will be performed when radioactive materials are used in such a manner that they could be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the body' and that personnel potentially exposed to ionizing radiation or non-ionizing radiation would receive medical examinations:

(1) Is the Government aware of any bioassay procedures being performed on United States (US) or Australian troops who may have inhaled, ingested or absorbed into the body radioactive materials.

(2) Is the Government aware of any radiation protection officers being sent to Iraq by the US Administration.

(3) Did the Government provide such personnel for Australian troops.

(4) Have US forces used weapons containing depleted uranium during training exercises in Australia; if so, when and where.

Senator Hill (Minister for Defence) —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is aware that the United States (US) has collected some urine samples for analysis (bioassay) and that the US expects to collect additional samples as soldiers return from Iraq. The ADF is also aware that the US has recently updated its policy for the medical assessment of individuals potentially exposed to depleted uranium during operations in Iraq. Recent scientific studies suggest that there may be a slight risk associated with significant ingestion and inhalation of DU. Consequently, as a precautionary measure under our duty of care to ADF personnel, Defence Health Services is currently developing its own testing protocols for ADF personnel who may have been exposed to depleted uranium. Those members who may have been exposed to DU will have urine and blood tests done to check for adverse effects on kidney and blood forming systems.

(2) Yes. The US has deployed nuclear military health physicists and radiation protection officers to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

(3) No. Coalition officers are available to perform radiation protection services if required.

(4) In accordance with Defence Instruction (General) Administration 59-1, specific approval must be sought by foreign forces to use any munitions other than exists in the ADF inventory on Australian Training Areas. The ADF does not have in service any ammunition containing DU. The ADF and its contractors have reviewed documents and data pertaining to the weapons used on Australian Training Areas and any requests from foreign forces for the use of DU munitions. No evidence of DU ammunition being used on Australian Training Areas was found.