Defence knew of firefighting foam dangers at Queensland base in 1991, class action alleges

Defence says it became aware of toxic chemicals in soil and groundwater at Oakey in 2010 but Shine Lawyers allege they knew of potential risks much earlier

Defence has known of potential dangers with its use of firefighting foam at a Queensland army base for more than two decades, a class action alleges.

This month 450 people from the small town of Oakey, just west of Toowoomba, launched a class action against the defence department in the federal court.