Iraq

Senator Nettle asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 15 March 2005:

With reference to depleted uranium contamination in Iraq:

1. Has the department reviewed the medical literature and other reports that establish the existence of widespread depleted uranium contamination in Iraq.
2. Specifically, has the department reviewed the reports of medical studies conducted by the Uranium Medical Research Centre and the Institute for Mineralogy, JW Goethe University, which identified uranium exposure consistent with depleted uranium among members of the United States Military Police unit 442 deployed in Samawah, Iraq.
3. What conclusions has the department drawn from these reviews.
4. Has the department consulted with the Dutch Defence Ministry regarding the dangers of depleted uranium in the area.
5. Were Dutch troops forced to move the location of their camp, due to high levels of radiation.
6. Has the depleted uranium and equipment exposed to radiation been removed from Camp Smitty.
7. Will the Australian Defence Force (ADF) follow the Japanese practice and issue its members deployed in Al Muthanna with personal dosimeters, to measure radiation exposure.
8. What training and information has been provided to ADF members to avoid exposure to depleted uranium while in Iraq.
9. What liability will the department have if any ADF personnel are found to be exposed to radiation from depleted uranium in Al Muthanna.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. This report is an abstract of a paper that was presented to the 33rd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Radiation Biology in Budapest, Hungary in August 2004. The abstract does not contain enough information on the study method and analysis for Defence to provide a definitive opinion.
4. Defence has not directly consulted with the Dutch Defence Ministry, but consulted with the Coalition's regional command for the area in Iraq and with the United Kingdom Ministry for Defence, which is the lead nation for this area.
5. No.
6. There has been no reported evidence of depleted uranium or equipment exposed to radiation within Camp Smitty.
7. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Hazard Assessment Team will wear personal dosimeters, and will examine the environmental and operational hazards to determine if, and when, other ADF personnel will need dosimeters.
8. All personnel deploying on Operation Catalyst are provided with a brief that details the known environmental and occupational threats present within the Middle Eastern Area of Operations. This brief covers the presence of depleted uranium in the Middle Eastern Area of Operations and what ADF personnel must do to avoid exposure.
9. This question should be directed to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs.

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