John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. Minister, my question concerns the failure of the Morwell River Diversion in the Yallourn open-cut mine on 6 June this year. In the light of the fact that Victoria's EPA has authorised TRUenergy to pump likely polluted water from the Yallourn open-cut mine directly into the La Trobe River flowing into the Ramsar listed Gippsland Lakes and that the Victorian EPA is not testing the water, instead relying on test results supplied by TRUenergy, can the minister advise what steps are being taken to end this convenient arrangement between the Victorian EPA and TRUenergy, to impose independent water testing at the Yallourn mine and to ensure that those test results are publicly available; and that he has taken action to stop TRUenergy pumping directly from the mine into the La Trobe River, were pollution to be detected?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for your question, Senator Madigan. The department is aware from correspondence from TRUenergy that recent heavy rains in the Gippsland region have resulted in damage to a section of the Morwell River Diversion, impacting on the operation of the existing Yallourn power station and the coal conveyor system. If any activity taken by TRUenergy in relation to the mine water discharge is likely to have a significant impact on nationally protected matters, then it may require referral under national environmental law. As no referral has been received in regard to this specific activity, the minister has referred this matter to the Compliance and Enforcement Branch of the department for investigation. The minister will keep you informed and the parliament informed of outcomes of that investigation.

John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. In the light of comments by TRUenergy, or Yallourn management, published this week in the Latrobe Valley Express that pumping will commence tomorrow, Friday, 22 June, of 100 megalitres per day, rising to 2,000 megalitres per day, is the minister willing to act today if he has not already done so?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated, it has been referred to the compliance division, but, if there is any other part of that that the minister would like to add to, I will take that on notice.

John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Is the minister willing to guarantee that he is acting to protect the La Trobe River, the Gippsland Lakes, their farming, fishing and tourism industries and the diverse wildlife, including five endangered species, that lives on or around the lakes from the waters of Yallourn mine in accordance with the Commonwealth's Ramsar convention responsibilities?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated, the minister has referred it to the compliance division and will keep us updated. If the minister would like to add anything further in relation to your supplementary question, I will take that on notice and get the appropriate reply.