Britain tested atomic weapons at Maralinga
and Emu Fields in South Australia and around
Western Australia's Monte Bello Islands, with
Australia's permission. The combined force of
the weapons set off at Maralinga was double
that of the bomb dropped on the Japanese
city of Hiroshima in World War Two.
Many indigenous people were forced to
move, but some refused to relocate and were
subjected to severe levels of radiation.
A royal commission has linked the testing to
significant injuries and deformities including
infertility, lung problems, skin defects, and
cancer, causing dozens of deaths.
Documents show children born after the
nuclear tests had tumours, cerebral palsy,
missing bones, and heart disease. There are
also tragic accounts of families sleeping in the
bomb craters.
After decades of campaigning, those directly
exposed to the radiation will now be eligible
for a war veterans' Gold Card, which will cover
most medical costs
The experiments, in which Aboriginal people
were treated like "human guinea pigs" are
a source of shame in southern and Western
Australia, according to campaigners.
Robert Menzies, the country's prime minister
at the time, allowed Britain access to Australia
without consulting his cabinet, believing
the deal would secure British protection in
Australia in a nuclear world.
Although the sites have been declared safe
since 2000, it was only in 2014 that the last of
the land in Maralinga was finally handed back
to the Aboriginal people. Most say they have
no desire to return, however.
Nigel Scullion, the federal Aboriginal affairs
minister, said the history of the site illustrated
the stupidity and arrogance of both the British
and Australian authorities.
12
ISSUE 99 / 2017
GUESTLIST
Indigenous Australians who were exposed to extreme levels of
radiation by British nuclear tests from 1952 to 1963, will finally
have their healthcare costs covered by the government.
VICTIMS OF BRITISH NUCLEAR
TESTING IN AUSTRALIA WIN
CAMPAIGN!
BAD
HISTORY
