The federal government has settled a $132.7 million class action over the contamination of several sites across Australia from toxic firefighting foam, which will compensate about 30,000 landowners.
A Queensland firefighter, Izabella Nash, tragically lost her life after sustaining injuries while fighting a warehouse fire south of Brisbane.
Ms Nash passed away overnight while hospitalised, as confirmed by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).
In a heartfelt statement, QFES said: “It is with heavy hearts we can confirm Fire and Rescue Service firefighter Izabella Nash has passed away overnight following a Slacks Creek factory fire yesterday morning. The thoughts of QFES are with Izzy’s family, friends and crew members.”
The multimillion-dollar settlement agreement was reached on Monday, but still requires final approval from the federal court.
About 30,000 landowners will be compensated by the Commonwealth after claiming their properties were polluted by PFAS due to the use of firefighting foam used at Defence Force bases.
The lawsuit alleged the residents were exposed to the toxic chemicals in the foam after it leached into groundwater and soil near the air force bases.
About 30,000 landowners will be compensated by the federal government after claiming they were exposed to PFAS due to the use of firefighting foam. Picture: Getty Images (generic stock photo).
The affected sites are Richmond and Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, Wodonga in Victoria, Darwin in the Northern Territory, Edinburgh in South Australia, Bullsbrook in Western Australia and Townsville in Queensland.
The conditions of the settlement agreement have been reached without admission of liability from the Commonwealth.
PFAS, which stands for per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that can accumulate in the body over time, and do not break-down in the environment.
They are also highly resist to heat, oil, stains and water.
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The claimants launched the suit against the Department of Defence over its historic use of the firefighting foam, with legal proceedings involving an eighth location at Wreck Bay in Jervis Bay Territory yet to be resolved.
The matter was adjourned for mediation this week.
Monday’s settlement follows a $212 million pay-out by the federal government in 2020 to residents in Katherine in the NT and Williamtown in NSW over similar concerns.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about the class action during a press conference on Monday and noted that PFAS “has been an issue” in many communities around Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about the class action settlement at a media conference on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier.
He said his largest concern around PFAS was the health of Australians who have been affected by the substances.
“People have, across a range of communities, suffered from the use of this,” he told reporters in Adelaide.
“It’s another example of where we have to get occupational health and safety right.
“We need to get it right in the first place that would avoid these sort of actions, which the biggest concern that I have with PFAS isn’t, of course a financial one, it is the health outcomes of people who are affected by it.”
He also highlighted that the class action pre-dated his election as Prime Minister.
The federal court will need to approve the settlement agreement before any of the claimants receive compensation.
The $132.7 million settlement was reached just after midnight on the day the trial was due to proceed in the federal court.