J,, A U S T R A L I A  ,,ÃÂ¹-

PRESS STATEMENT by the Minister Tor National Development and Energy

ATOMIC TESTS VETERANS CTR- PEYHENT”

83/2

THE MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENERGY, SENATOR  SIR JOHN CARRICK, SAID TODAY THAT NO COMMON LAW ACTIONS FOR

DAMAGES AGAINST THE COMMONWEALTH HAD BEEN SETTLED EITHER BY  THE COURTS OR OUT OF COURT. THE MINISTER WAS COMMENTING ON

A MEDIA REPORT THAT A SUBSTANTIAL SETTLEMENT HAD BEEN OFFERED  TO THE WIDOW OF AN EX-SERVICEMAN WHO, IT WAS CLAIMED, HAD DIED

AS A RESULT OF WORK INVOLVED WITH THE ATOMIC TESTS IN AUSTRALIA.

"I AM AT A LOSS TO UNDERSTAND HOW REPORTS SUCH AS THIS ORIGINATE.

THE COMMONWEALTH HAS MADE NO OFFER TO SETTLE THIS CLAIM AND  THERE CAN BE NO BASIS FOR THIS ASSERTION",  SENATOR CARRICK SAID.

"IN FACT, I AM ADVISED THAT WHEN MY DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED

ON THE MATTER YESTERDAY THE POINT WAS EMPHASISED THAT ALTHOUGH  THE CASE WAS SUB JUDICE AND INVOLVED A PERSON'S PRIVATE LEGAL

AFFAIRS THERE COULD BE NO SUBSTANCE TO ANY REPORT WHICH

REFERRED TO AN OFFER BY THE COMMONWEALTH TO SETTLE THIS CASE

OUT OF COURT".

IN THE MEANTIME THE GOVERNMENT IS PROCEEDING WITH ITS SURVEY  OF ALL AUSTRALIAN PERSONNEL, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN, WHO WERE

ASSOCIATED WITH THE TESTS.

Canberra  11 January 1983-ENQUIRIES: P. Ryan

(062) 453525 (W)  (062) 477447 (H)

