George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Urquhart, the Prime Minister is concerned and the NHMRC are sufficiently concerned that they are examining the matter. Senator Urquhart, I am not a scientist, but, like the Prime Minister, I have heard community concerns voiced. I have heard them voiced in this chamber. I have heard them voiced in particular by my friend Senator Chris Back, from Western Australia, who gave a most instructive speech about this topic in this chamber some months ago. I have discussed the matter with Senator Back and I understand that there are reasons for concern.

As to the strength of the evidence—as to the strength of the empirical basis of those concerns—I am not in a position to inform you, but I think, Senator, you should not close your mind to the concerns that people in the community have and that the Prime Minister, quite appropriately, articulated.