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Laurie Ferguson - Scott Must Act On Further Maralinga Revelations

http://www.alp.org.au//media/0501/lfmsmara210501.html Friday, 25 May 2001

Scott Must Act On Further Maralinga Revelations Laurie Ferguson - Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel

Media Statement - 21 May 2001

The Federal Opposition has demanded urgent action in response to further revelations that the British Government planned to deliberately expose Defence personnel to radiation during British atomic tests at Maralinga.

Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Laurie Ferguson MP, made the demand today in response to revelations in yesterday's Glasgow Sunday Herald.

'I was shocked to read the reported details of Operation Lighthouse which involved a series of planned atomic tests in September and October 1959,' Mr Ferguson said.

'According to the reports I have seen, British planning documents on Operation Lighthouse refer to the need to locate up to 800 British and Australian personnel as close as possible to ground zero to test the effects of the bomb.

'The personnel concerned were to staff command posts, weapon pits and accommodation huts to see what happened when the bombs exploded.

'The documents even propose that the servicemen have their blood counted before they arrived at the site to provide a baseline to check radiation effects.

'In the event Operation Lighthouse did not proceed as planned because a temporary moratorium on nuclear testing was agreed to by the British, American and Soviet Governments in October 1958.

'It is bad enough that the Menzies Government made Australian territory available in the first place for British atomic tests.

'To read official documents openly canvassing the use of innocent Defence personnel as guinea pigs for the after effects of an atomic explosion is absolutely appalling.

'Minister Scott must seek an urgent explanation from the British authorities about this latest revelation.

'He must also report to the Parliament on the outcome of his recent discussions with the British Government on the earlier revelations by Sue Rabbitt Roff.

'It is high time we were told the truth about this whole sorry episode.' Authorised by Geoff Walsh, 19 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600.

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