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Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil told reporters that the government is seeking damages to recover the cost of cleaning up environmental contamination caused by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). He described it as the most significant legal action ever taken by an Australian government.
According to officials, the Australian Defence Force has already removed about 200,000 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated soil due to risks posed to surrounding communities.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government is prepared to confront one of the world’s largest multinational corporations in court.
In a statement, Australia said it had filed its case in the Federal Court, alleging that 3M was aware of the environmental risks associated with its firefighting foam but failed to disclose them. The government also claims the company provided assurances about disposal and environmental safety that did not reflect its internal knowledge at the time.
3M rejected the allegations and said it would defend itself through the legal process. The company also stated that it never manufactured PFAS in Australia and stopped selling the relevant products in the country about two decades ago.
The US-based firm, known for products such as Post-it notes and Scotch tape, previously agreed to a $10 billion settlement in the United States in 2023 over similar contamination claims.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, are widely used in industrial and consumer products but persist in the environment for long periods and have been linked to health concerns.
