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The Commonwealth has launched legal action in the Federal Court against manufacturing giant 3M, seeking more than $2 billion in damages over toxic chemical contamination at 28 military bases across Australia.

The Federal Government filed proceedings against both 3M Company and its Australian subsidiary, 3M Australia Pty Ltd, over contamination caused by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a group of synthetic chemicals found in firefighting foams used on defence sites for decades. 

The Commonwealth alleges 3M withheld critical information about the environmental risks of its aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), gave misleading assurances about disposal and environmental safety, and failed to fully disclose what the company knew about the dangers posed by the product. 

Attorney –General Michelle Rowland stressed that this case was “the largest legal claim ever brought by the Commonwealth” and that the Government was committed to holding 3M accountable. “The Commonwealth has commenced this legal action to pursue appropriate accountability through the Federal Court and to seek recovery of costs borne by the Commonwealth in responding to PFAS contamination at Defence bases,” she said. 

“This misconduct has contributed to substantial costs for defence and the Australian taxpayer.” 

Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil confirmed Defence was seeking damages to cover both past and future expenses. “Defence has spent over $1.3 billion on its PFAS response,” Khalil said, adding that the total claim exceeds $2 billion when future remediation and management costs are factored in. 

PFAS-containing foams are no longer used in Australia following growing concern about their links to environmental contamination. The chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been detected in soil, groundwater and waterways near a number of Australian Defence bases, affecting surrounding communities. 

Khalil said he had seen firsthand the toll contamination had taken on local residents. “I have visited communities right across Australia that have been affected by PFAS contamination, and they need action.” 

The Department of Defence said it would continue working with state and local authorities to support affected communities while the legal proceedings progress through the courts. 

Header image: Attorney-General Michelle Rowland and Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)