Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

recognises that studies have shown that Vietnam veterans have a higher than average mortality rate, and that the highest levels of mortality occur among Royal Australian Navy veterans;

(2)

notes that a 2002 report by the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology found the method of providing drinking water to RAN ships in Vietnam made it likely that the drinking water provided to sailors was contaminated with dioxins in agent orange and herbicides and defoliants;

(3)

notes that the factors included in the Statement of Principles are for exposure to consumable potable water on RAN vessels in Vietnam when that water had been produced by evaporative distillation, must have an accumulated 30 days in Vietnam waters;

(4)

calls on the Government to:

(a)

release the cancer incidence and mortality studies of Vietnam veterans, and

(b)

respond quickly and ensure appropriate compensation for Vietnam veterans.

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