Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 144 standing in my name for today relating to contamination by firefighting foams, by omitting in subparagraph (a)(i) the words 'public health'.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the chemical contamination on and around Defence, airport and firefighter training sites across Australia of per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), resulting from the use of legacy firefighting foams, is a national environmental, economic and workplace safety issue,

(ii) preliminary tests conducted at 12 investigation sites around the country detected PFAS at every site, and PFAS levels exceeding interim standards at three sites,

(iii) it has been three weeks since the Department of Defence released the preliminary investigation report, and

(iv) the Turnbull Government has not yet commented on the report; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

(i) urgently consult with all residents living in and around every investigation site, and

(ii) urgently consult with all workers, including former workers, who have been exposed to PFAS through the use of firefighting foams.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Defence is continuing with a very proactive approach to identifying PFAS contamination across its estate through an extensive program of investigations. This program is one of the largest environmental investigations ever undertaken in this country. Community engagement has already occurred at RAAF Base Tindal, RAAF Base Darwin, Robertson Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville, with further community engagement planned in other communities in the coming weeks. A range of state and Commonwealth agencies have participated, given the whole-of-government focus on managing this issue. The government understands the concerns of those in affected communities and will continue to engage with them throughout these investigations.

Question agreed to.