Defence department facing $500,000 WorkCover lawsuit over injury from testing Hawkei vehicle

An Australian army Hawkei vehicle at Puckapunyal. Victoria’s WorkCover Authority is suing the defence department after a contractor was injured testing one of the vehicles. Photograph: CPL Nunu Campos

The defence department is being sued for more than $500,000 over a claim a contractor was instructed to rock a Hawkei vehicle back and forth to test its suspension.

The cost recovery claim by Victoria’s WorkCover Authority alleging negligence in the high court adds to the woes of the troubled $1.3bn Hawkei procurement project.