Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Rice for that question. Our priority, as has been documented for some time, in relation to this issue is the health and wellbeing of the affected communities in managing the potential impacts of PFAS on the environment. That is why we are continuing to support local communities affected by PFAS contamination with a new $73.1 million package. We are providing $55.2 million for a drinking water program—and I should acknowledge here that a number of senators in this chamber, and indeed a number of members in the House of Representatives, have strongly represented their communities in this space, including and in particular, of course, Senator Burston in more recent times, which is a matter of public record. So we're providing $55.2 million for a drinking water program. The program has commenced and will continue to support property owners in communities surrounding Army Aviation Centre Oakey and RAAF bases Williamtown, Tindal and Pearce who use bores as their primary source of drinking water. We know that the human body gets rid of PFAS over time, so it is important to focus on reducing exposure by providing alternative water to communities.

We are also providing $17.9 million to the Department of the Environment and Energy as part of our ongoing commitment to respond to PFAS contamination issues, protect the environment and minimise human exposure, including by continuing the work of the PFAS task force. In developing our response, the government has been guided by expert advice on the potential health effects of PFAS. The independent expert health panel's recently released report on PFAS exposure concludes:

There is no consistent evidence that exposure to PFAS causes adverse human health effects.

Their findings support our approach to responding to PFAS contamination, which focuses on removing exposure pathways, removing sources of contamination and remediating contamination where possible. (Time expired)