The Australian government has launched legal action against multinational manufacturer 3M and its Australian unit, seeking more than A$2 billion in damages. This lawsuit marks the largest legal claim ever brought by the federal government.
The case centers on contamination caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or "forever chemicals," which were used in firefighting foam. The contamination has affected 28 defense bases.
Attorney General Michelle Rowland stated that the use of these chemicals caused major environmental and economic harm. The government is seeking damages to recover the costs of managing the environmental contamination at the military sites.