Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Burston for his question. The global agreement that you refer to is actually the responsibility of the minister for the environment, but I'm happy to assist, inasmuch as I'm able—through you, Mr President.

In terms of what our government is doing on the ground, we're supporting the communities, including Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine, by providing: an epidemiological study that will help us better understand the human health implications of exposure to PFAS; a voluntary blood-testing program for residents living in the investigation areas around the Williamtown, Oakey and Tindal bases; dedicated mental health and counselling services to assist communities affected by PFAS contamination, including an online telephone counselling service; and a communication strategy focusing on the human health related aspects of PFAS.

On 14 March 2018, the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, announced that services under the community support package for Tindal will be available from Saturday, 17 March 2018. This includes a voluntary blood testing program component, available for a 13-month period from 17 March 2018 until 30 April 2019. The Australian government has also extended the voluntary blood testing program in Williamtown, New South Wales, and Oakey, Queensland, until 30 April 2019, to better align with the blood serum component of the epidemiological study being conducted by the Australian National University.