Williamtown class action against ADF attracts financial backer

A class action against the Defence Department over the Williamtown water and soil contamination scandal may receive financial backing from IMF Bentham.

File image of a Royal Australian Air Force FA-18 Hornet launching from RAAF Base Williamtown. Source: AAP

Litigation funder IMF Bentham plans to back a class action against the Australian Defence Force over the Williamtown contamination scandal.

A firefighting chemical used by the Williamtown RAAF base, 30km north of Newcastle, five years ago has been found to have polluted groundwater and soil at the base and in the surrounding residential area.

Now Williamtown residents want to sue the Defence Department.

A statement from IMF Bentham on Tuesday says it plans to fund the class action that will be conducted by Gadens Lawyers.

"IMF's funding of the class action is conditional on sufficient claimants with valid claims signing funding agreements with IMF," the statement said.

In February, a parliamentary inquiry has recommended the Turnbull government compensate commercial fishermen affected by the contamination.