Between 1952 and 1963, approximately 16,000 Australian civilians and serviceman were exposed to nuclear fallout when British nuclear weapons were tested at the Montebello Islands in Western Australia, Maralinga and Emu fields in South Australia, and over the Christmas and Malden Islands.

"Today Australians mark the sacrifice, suffering and deaths of our servicemen and women in all wars, but unfortunately some of our veterans have been forgotten," said Australian Greens spokesperson on nuclear policy, Senator Scott Ludlam.

The Australian Greens have called for hundreds of Australian soldiers who were exposed to radiation from British nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s and ‘60s to automatically receive Veterans' Gold Card health care.

"Between 1952 and 1963, more than 16,000 Australian civilians and serviceman were exposed to nuclear fallout when British nuclear weapons were tested at the Montebello Islands in Western Australia, Maralinga and Emu fields in South Australia, and over the Christmas and Malden Islands," spokesperson Assisting on Defence, Senator Scott Ludlam said.

Additional Estimates - Wednesday 15 February 2012 - Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee - Department of Veterans Affairs 

Wednesday 19 October 2011 Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee

ACTING CHAIR: Thank you, Senator Xenophon. Senator Ludlam, do you have a couple of quick questions?

The Australian Greens have called on the Australian Government to properly compensate the victims of the atomic testing at Maralinga.

The Greens spokesperson for nuclear issues and legal affairs, Senator Scott Ludlam, said the hopes of Australian veterans for compensation for exposure to nuclear testing in the 1950s had been undermined by a decision of the British Court of Appeal.

I will make some brief remarks on the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (2010 Budget Measures) Bill 2010 and related bill. Veterans of British atomic weapons testing that occurred in Australia between 1952 and 1963 at Maralinga, Emu Field and the Monte Bello Islands have been calling for compensation for a very long time. Some of them have joined a class action in Britain now that the EU high court has ruled that they deserve a day in court so that they can make their case.

Senator LUDLAM (2.24 pm)-My question is to the Minister for Defence representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. While the amount of compensation allocated in the budget is clearly insufficient, the Greens join others in welcoming the long overdue recognition of severe health impacts on Australian Defence personnel who were exposed to ionising radiation from nuclear tests. Beyond the compensation measures announced in the budget, veterans are also calling for full comprehensive health care in particular at a gold card standard.

(Question No. 2497)
Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, upon notice, on 21 December 2009:

(1) With reference to the review announced on 9 September 2008 to revisit the Clarke Review recommendations which were rejected by the then Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, has it reported; if not, when will this review be completed.