Defence has 'head in sand' over toxic leak

It is "extraordinary" that the federal government appears to be trying to hide the truth about toxic chemicals that have contaminated defence bases around the country, Labor's defence spokesman Stephen Conroy says.

Labor has committed $20 million for a taskforce and 10,000 blood tests for former RAAF base workers and residents in areas where there has been leakage of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), previously contained in firefighting foams.

A Senate inquiry recommended the tests, as well as property acquisitions and fishing licence buy-outs for affected areas, which so far include Fiskville in Victoria, Williamtown in NSW, Oakey in Queensland and the Darwin and Tindal RAAF bases in the Northern Territory.

The issue requires a national response, Senator Conroy said.

"It's reached a stage where Defence can't put its head in the sand anymore," he told ABC local radio in Darwin on Tuesday.

"Defence actually started blood tests in and around Oakey in Queensland, and after finding levels of chemicals in people's blood they stopped doing blood tests ... (residents) believe they're entitled to the truth, they're entitled to know if there's contaminant in their blood."

The tests would be run on a voluntary basis for residents and former base workers living around red zones where contamination has been identified, he said.

He accused Defence Minister Marise Payne of ignoring the issue.

"I find it extraordinary that there seems to be an attempt not to reveal the truth to people if they've got levels in their blood," he said.

"This is a significant growing health issue that the federal government must face up to."

Ms Payne's office has been contacted for comment.