Sailors future uncertain after vaccination refusal

PM - Thursday, February  13, 2003 18:15

MARK COLVIN: Sailors from Australian vessels deployed to the Gulf have been undergoing what are called 'debriefing sessions' in Western Australia today. They're men and women who refused to accept anthrax vaccinations.

The stepfather of a woman sent back from HMAS Darwin says she's had to deal with being called a coward, and fears an uncertain future in the Navy. The stepfather, himself a former leading seaman, says she refused the vaccination because she was afraid of becoming infertile.

David Weber reports.

DAVID WEBER: Luis Lim was in the Australian Navy for 18-years. He served around the world, and received medals for his role in the East Timor deployment. Mr Lim also received a long-service medal. Mr Lim says his step-daughter's been having a rough time. He says she hasn't refused to serve her country, but she has refused to be a guinea pig.

LUIS LIM: She's had a lot of turmoil in her mind and in her heart. The crew members who remained chastised them, they accused them of being cowards. The senior officers on the ship have told them that they're not welcome on the ship anymore, not even to attend the ship's ball, and some other personnel have said that they should have their medals taken away from them for service that they have already participated in.

DAVID WEBER: Given that attitude, can you understand why they needed to send her back?

LUIS LIM: The Navy seems fairly bureaucratic in this. Half the British Army in the Gulf region have refused the anthrax needles, and logistically speaking, they can't just send everyone home. I can understand the Navy wanting to give their personnel the best health care available, but to say that they're unfit to serve because they might get anthrax, it seems to me that it's strange when they're there to fight. And the main area of concern should be the enemy, not anthrax.

DAVID WEBER: The woman was concerned about possible infertility. Mr Lim says she's now worried she may have jeopardised her career.

LUIS LIM: Along with termination of a career comes the possible loss of a house. She's very worried about that. She doesn't want to step on people's toes; she wants to keep her bridges intact, but at the same time her health is more important, her long-term health is more important than a career.

DAVID WEBER: At this stage, has the Navy given any indication about what they're going to do with her?

LUIS LIM: Unfortunately, they've only used standover tactics, veiled threats of dismissal, veiled threats of being posted to a different state from where she comes from.

DAVID WEBER: It's understood the woman attended a psychological debriefing session at HMAS Stirling near Rockingham today. She was advised [to have] two-weeks leave.

LUIS LIM: And officially, even though she's refused the injection, it's so she can make up her mind.

DAVID WEBER: About what?

LUIS LIM: Whether to rescind that refusal or to maintain her position.

DAVID WEBER: So she may be allowed to go back to the ship if she decides to have that injection?

LUIS LIM: Well, I think officially, she would be allowed to, but from the opinion of, well... from the activities of the crew and the hierarchy on the ship, she might not actually want to go back to the ship.

DAVID WEBER: A spokesman for the Defence Forces denies any of those who'd refused anthrax vaccinations were even at HMAS Stirling today. But the spokesman says they were expected to take part in debriefing sessions, followed by leave and advice on their next postings. The spokesman says the Navy had a duty of care to bring back those who refused vaccinations. He says no one's being crucified over the issue.

MARK COLVIN: David Weber.