THE Victorian government's insurer admitted liability for a Lands Department worker's illnesses and offered compensation after chemical sprays ravaged his body.
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But Eric "Mike" Daniel - a spray hand of more than 30 years - rejected the $5000 offer after eight years of bureaucracy and ongoing medical costs.
The Department of Environment and Primary Industries - the evolution of the Lands Department - is currently undertaking an internal review of historical practices relating to chemical sprays after an investigation by The Courier.
But surviving spray hands and their families want it to go further, calling for an independent and public inquiry into the issue.
FULL COVERAGE
- Former government workers make startling new claims of using dangerous chemicals without protection for decades.
- Former union national safety director says workers' concerns were ignored for decades.
- Victorian government launch immediate internal review of historical Lands Department operations.
- Bill Shorten calls for broader inquiry into toxic chemical use.
- Daughter wants answers over father's death.
- Workers rush to confirm they will give evidence if inquiry held.
- DEPI instructs herbicide to be 'locked away'
- Spray hand dies of tumour: family speaks out
The Courier can reveal the state insurance office wrote to Mr Daniel in 1985, admitting liability for skin cancers and offering a then-undisclosed sum as compensation.
"With reference to the above matter I wish to advise that as State Insurance Office have admitted liability to your compensation claim, this will be paid in due course." the letter stated.
Eight years and two insurer-organised medical exams later, the spray hand rejected an offer of $5000 plus costs. He retired in the same year.
John Daniel said his father was concerned with covering rising medical costs when he first made the claim.
"He would have had at least 100 skin cancers cut out," he said.
"Every month he had them cut out ... it was just an ongoing thing."
Eric Daniel died in hospital in 2006 of a heart attack. Months earlier he had treatment for a cancer under one of his eyes.
The Daniel family is convinced chemical sprays played a part in Eric's long running battle with skin and other cancers.
"He used to drive an open-top tractor with a spray tank on the back while another bloke would walk along spraying weeds," John said.
"When the wind was blowing he would just get covered in the sprays ... he was only wearing overalls."
John remembers his father coming home from work at the Lands Department's Swan Hill and Piangil depots "stinking" of chemicals.
Both Labor and the Greens have pledged support for an independent inquiry, but the Coalition government has so far resisted.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith said DEPI would consult fully with the Victorian WorkCover Authority to obtain all relevant information, including compensation claims.
He said the current internal inquiry is retrieving information from DEPIs archives of predecessor departments and agencies and will reveal all compensation cases.
The findings will be conveyed in a report to Mr Smith.
Mr Daniel said he hoped his father's story would go some way to help other families affected by illnesses brought about by Lands Department chemical use.
"He was just an ordinary guy ... if this helps some other poor people out, then it's worth it."
The Daniel family said they would readily make a submission to an independent inquiry.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au
jordan.oliver@fairfaxmedia.com.au
