Federal government seeks more than $2bn in damages from multinational manufacturer in its largest legal claim ever Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Australian government said on Thursday it had launched legal action against the multinational manufacturer 3M over Pfas chemical contamination at defence bases, seeking damages of more than $2bn (US$1.4bn). The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, said the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals”, in firefighting foam had caused major environmental and economic harm, resulting in the largest legal claim ever brought by the federal government. Continue reading...