Cherie Blair to represent aborigines in Maralinga case

Last Updated: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:18:00 +1100

Cherie Blair, the wife of the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is representing five Aboriginies pursuing compensation over the Maralinga nuclear bomb tests in South Australia.

Last year an English court ruled that military personnel affected by the testing in the 1950's and 60's were entitled to seek compensation from the United Kingdom Government.

Neil Gillespie from the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement says he has already had advice about the South Australian compensation claims co-signed by Cherie Blair.

Mr Gillespie says the claims are no different from those by former defence force personnel seeking compensation for ill health attributed to exposure to nuclear testing.

He also plans to approach the Federal Government for assistance to have them heard.