Key facts
- 3M plans to argue Australia's lawsuit over PFAS contamination is legally flawed.
- Australia seeks over A$2 billion ($1.38 billion) in damages for contamination at 28 military bases.
- 3M will argue that public nuisance is not available as a legal claim.
- The company will also question if the consumer protection law breach claim is time-barred.
- Australia has spent A$1.3 billion dealing with the impacts of contamination.
US conglomerate 3M plans to argue that Australia's landmark lawsuit over contamination from its PFAS "forever chemicals" is legally flawed, a court heard on Friday. Australia is seeking over A$2 billion ($1.38 billion) in damages for contamination at 28 military bases where 3M's firefighting foam was used. 3M's barrister Philip Solomon stated at the first case management hearing that the company would argue public nuisance is not an available claim. The company also intends to question whether the consumer protection law breach claim is time-barred, as the alleged conduct occurred decades ago. Australia has already spent A$1.3 billion dealing with the impacts of the contamination on the bases. The case will return to court in December.