SAS Health Remains a Concern Chris Evans - Shadow Minister for Defence

Media Statement - 12 March 2004

SAS personnel can take little assurance from the report simply because the impact of many of their exposures can take decades to emerge.

This is typical of Defence experience where exposure to a wide range of toxic substances do not appear until it is too late.

The issue for the SAS can be put in the same bracket as those exposed to Agent Orange , depleted uranium, insecticides, and a wide range of very complex chemicals.

The Gulf War syndrome is another manifestation of effects of exposure, commonly reflected in symptoms, but not attributable to any one known cause by medical science.

This current approach to SAS health has therefore been another attempt to provide assurances to ADF personnel and ex service people that all is well.

History shows that such assurances should not be given. The responses should have gone much further to include health and mortality studies akin to those already under way for other groups also concerned at the effects of service on their health.

The Government's response is inadequate. It is designed to sweep the legitimate concerns of SAS members and their families under the mat.

The Government is quick to sing the praises of this elite group, but as usual, slow to address real concerns. These matters need to be given far more serious attention, with longitudinal health studies, including second generational impacts.