The Orica Case: Justice for a Suburb, Silence for a Generation

In New South Wales, chemical giant Orica (formerly ICI) was held accountable for contaminating Botany Bay with dioxins, some of the most toxic substances on the planet. These chemicals — including TCDD, the same compound found in Agent Orange — had leached into groundwater and threatened human health.

The outcome?

• Orica paid over $100 million in fines and environmental clean up.

• NSW Health implemented health monitoring for affected residents.

• The contamination was prosecuted under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW).

• The public was informed. Action was taken.

But here’s the hypocrisy:

While a corporation was held responsible for exposing one neighbourhood to dioxin, the Australian Government has never taken accountability for exposing an entire generation of children — the sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans — to the same toxin, in utero, during development.

There’s been:

• No investigation

• No health monitoring

• No compensation

• No justice

Same poison. Worse exposure. Total silence.

If the law can protect Botany Bay, why not protect us?