Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last week I started a petition on behalf of the people of Williamtown—the residents in my community who, for the last five years, have been impacted by PFAS. In 2015, residents in Williamtown, Salt Ash, Fullerton Cove and other areas discovered that their lands, homes, produce and, in some cases, even their bodies were polluted with PFAS from RAAF Base Williamtown. There is no PFAS policy from this government. There are no answers for residents. Instead, there is a court case, which they initiated. Where is our Prime Minister? Time and time again, residents ask me, 'Why has the Prime Minister not been to talk to us, Meryl?' I can't give them an answer.

On the petition on my website people are saying: 'I live this nightmare every day—day and night. I am traumatised by not having a future.' That's Kim from Williamtown. 'I can't believe it's come to us signing a petition,' said Lisa from Fullerton Cove. 'This is absolutely disgraceful treatment of the residents,' says John from Salamander. 'The poisoning of the people of Australia while this government stands idly by is totally unacceptable. I will continue to endeavour to encourage people to sack you all at the next election. You are a disgrace to this country and the people you are supposed to represent,' said Cybele from Fern Bay. She has said it in the most effective language we can use. You can add your voice to this cry for help, because it's the only voice you've got at this point. Go to meryl.swanson.com.au. (Time expired)

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