Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Conroy for the question. The senator would be aware that there are a number of activities occurring in the local area, which include community reference groups and consultation groups, of which Defence is an active member and partner. I convened a meeting—I cannot recall the date exactly, but I will provide that to you on notice—with the New South Wales Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Mark Speakman, perhaps 10 days ago now, which he attended accompanied by the New South Wales Chief Scientist, the New South Wales Chief Medical Officer and a number of other representatives of their government. The Commonwealth was represented by the Department of Defence, me, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, and the Department of Health, I believe. The meeting was to discuss some of the actions that New South Wales had taken with respect to the contamination issues.

The contamination from PFOS and PFOA, which are remnant contaminants, if you like, coming from firefighting foam which was used previously at the Williamtown base, have been an issue in the area for some time, as you indicated. We are trying to work very closely with New South Wales to make sure that advice is consistent. We are engaged with the community through those reference groups and community committees. We are working with both the relevant local members. My staff have briefed both the member for Newcastle and the member for Paterson on these issues, and we continue to work in close association with them and through the defence department.