NUCLEAR VETERANS

The Hon. M. PARNELL (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of Government Business, representing the Attorney-General, a question about nuclear veterans.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M. PARNELL: Members will by now be aware of the decision handed down by the Supreme Court in the UK last night, a decision that on a 4:3 majority found against the United Kingdom nuclear veterans in their campaign for compensation for illness, and in some cases death, brought about by their service in relation to nuclear testing, including nuclear testing in South Australia at Woomera and elsewhere.

The decision, as I said, was on the narrowest of margins. All of the judges expressed great sympathy for the veterans and their plight yet on legal grounds made their order in favour of the Department of Defence. My question is: what will the government now do to ensure that Australian service personnel who gave their health and, in some cases, their life in the service of their country in nuclear tests in South Australia will be compensated?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for his important question. I will refer that question to the Attorney-General in another place and bring back a response.