Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

In respect of whether the minister, Mr Burke, is aware or not, I do not know. I will have to take that on notice because there is no reference in the brief provided to me by the minister. I will take that part of the question on notice. I can provide Senator Brown with some material that is relevant to the range of questions he asks. I am advised that there is no evidence to date that naturally-occurring toxins from eucalypt species have been identified as a problem in drinking water supplies in Australia. Also, the Australian government has endorsed the Australian drinking water guidelines to ensure the safety of drinking water supplies. These guidelines, developed as part of the National Water Quality Management Strategy, undergo periodic review, and a review is underway at the present time. That review is being overseen by the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Water Quality Advisory Committee, and advice on new and revised guidance is provided to a number of ministerial councils for endorsement, including to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, which Minister Garrett chairs.

These reviews are intended to ensure that guidance on chemicals and other substances of concern that may be present in drinking water is regularly updated, and that new issues or threats to water quality are addressed quickly and efficiently. The minister, Mr Garrett, has asked his department to work with colleagues from the National Health and Medical Research Council to look into the matter of whether or not naturally occurring toxins from eucalypt species should be treated as an issue of concern in drinking water supplies. I will also take on notice the question about the funding matter. (Time expired)