UFUA Welcomes Commonwealth Legal Action Against 3M Over PFAS Contamination

United Firefighters Union Australia Media Release 28th May 2026

• Commonwealth legal action follows 15 years of advocacy by firefighters and the UFUA
• Firefighters exposed to PFAS chemicals while protecting Australian communities
• UFUA calls for further national action and ratification of the Stockholm Convention
  

The United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA) has welcomed the
Federal Government’s decision to commence legal action against 3M over Per-and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination, following more than 15 years of advocacy by
firefighters and the Union.

The Commonwealth Government has commenced proceedings relating to PFAS contamination
associated with firefighting foam products manufactured by 3M and used across Australia.
The UFUA noted firefighters nationally have long called for action to hold multinational
companies accountable for widespread environmental contamination and occupational
exposure caused by PFAS-containing firefighting foams.

The Union described the legal action as a significant step forward after years of campaigning by
firefighters, many of whom were exposed to PFAS chemicals while protecting the community.
The UFUA acknowledged that while the legal action is important, nothing can reverse the years
of exposure firefighters across Australia have faced.

The Union emphasised that further action is still required from governments across Australia.
The UFUA is calling on the Federal Government to continue working with firefighters and
affected communities to address the long-term impacts of PFAS contamination.

The Union also urged the Commonwealth to play a leading national role in ensuring historical
contamination of non-federal land is properly addressed.

The UFUA further noted that in 2023, then Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes
reportedly blocked Fire Rescue Victoria from pursuing legal action against 3M regarding the
environmental impacts of PFAS contamination.

The Union stressed that governments must move beyond remediation and legal proceedings
toward stronger international action to eliminate persistent organic pollutants.

The UFUA argued it must now be a priority of the Federal Government to end ongoing delays
and ratify the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

The Union maintained that firefighters and impacted communities have waited too long for
meaningful accountability and long-term protections.

Quotes attributable to UFUA PFAS Representative Mick Tisbury
“We welcome action finally being taken after 15 years of advocacy from the UFUA and
firefighters nationally.”

“For too long firefighters have been calling for action to be taken against multinational
companies like 3M, who have polluted with utter impunity.

“The Federal Government must continue to work with firefighters and affected communities to
take further action to address this issue.

“Nothing can take back the years of exposure to deadly PFAS chemicals firefighters across
Australia have endured, but this is a significant step in the right direction.”