Agent Orange scare in Innisfail
FEARS that cancer deaths are higher than normal in Innisfail and reports that the army tested chemical weapons there at the start of the Vietnam War will be investigated by the State Government.
Australian military scientists reportedly sprayed the toxic defoliant Agent Orange on rainforest in the water catchment area of Innisfail, south of Cairns, in 1966.
An alleged test site where jungle has never regrown is at Gregory Falls, about 20km south-west of Innisfail and 100m above the Johnstone River which supplies water for Innisfail.
Premier Anna Bligh said emerging concerns that cancer deaths might be linked with Agent Orange tests would be investigated.
"Any concerns these residents have can and will be investigated thoroughly," she said.
Researcher Jean Williams, who has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her work on the effects of chemicals on Vietnam War veterans, recently revealed details of
"secret tests" at Innisfail between 1964 and 1966 that she found in Australian War Memorial archives.
Figures from the Queensland health department show 76 people died from cancer at Innisfail, a town of almost 12,000, in 2005.
Queensland Health yesterday rejected reports there was a higher rate of cancer in the town than in the general population of Queensland, saying the Innisfail region had a ratio of 100:1 for 1991-2005.
"That is the same as the cancer incidence rate for Queensland," a spokesman said.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Bill Shannon said Innisfail’s town water supply showed no signs of Agent Orange but the research warranted further investigation by state and federal bodies.
"I’m certainly very disturbed. What I don’t want is a cover up of any sorts. I just want the full facts to come out and for this allegedly missing file to be found," he said.
New Innisfail RSL president Reg Hamann, who suffered cancer after being exposed to Agent Orange while fighting in Vietnam, said his children were born with health issues.
"The amount of young people in this area who die of leukaemia and similar cancers to what I got from Agent Orange is scary," Mr Hamann said.
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Cancer concern: Cassowary Coast mayor Bill Shannon wants a probe into claims Agent Orange may be affecting cancer rates in Innisfail.
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