Attorney-General launches 3m court action over 28 Defence bases
The Commonwealth has commenced legal action against 3M Australia Pty Ltd and 3M Company in the Federal Court over PFAS contamination at 28 Defence bases. Michelle Rowland said the government wants 3M held to account for the economic and environmental harms linked to the contamination.
Peter Khalil said Defence is seeking more than $2 billion in damages and has already spent over $1.3 billion on its PFAS response. The case seeks to recover past and future costs tied to investigating, managing and remediating the contamination.
Michelle Rowland on Federal Court action
Rowland said, "The Government is committed to holding 3M to account for the economic and environmental harms associated with PFAS contamination." She also said, "The Commonwealth has commenced this legal action to pursue appropriate accountability through the Federal Court and to seek recovery of costs borne by the Commonwealth in responding to PFAS contamination at Defence bases."
She added, "This is about ensuring these issues are addressed through proper legal processes."
Peter Khalil on Defence costs
Khalil said, "I have visited communities right across Australia that have been affected by PFAS contamination, and they need action. That's why the Commonwealth commenced this legal action today." He said the claim is aimed at costs linked to the historical storage and use of AFFF, the firefighting foam that contained PFAS.
He also said, "Defence is seeking more than $2 billion in damages to recover significant past and future expenses incurred by investigating and managing contamination resulting from the historical storage and use of AFFF."
Defence says it continues to use responsible methods to manage and remediate PFAS contaminated environments on and around its bases. The legal claim targets costs already carried by taxpayers, while the department continues work with state and local authorities near the affected sites.
PFAS at 28 bases
PFAS-containing foams were used for many years on Defence sites, but they are no longer used in Australia because of concerns linked to environmental contamination. The Commonwealth's case is built around allegations connected to 3M's AFFF containing PFAS and the contamination found at 28 Defence bases across Australia.
Khalil said, "Defence has spent over $1.3 billion on its PFAS response, and continues to work closely with state and local authorities to support local communities near bases affected by PFAS, and that work will continue."
The immediate issue for the Commonwealth is recovery: the filing turns years of spending into a damages claim in Federal Court, with the government now seeking to shift part of the burden for investigation, management and remediation onto 3M.
