Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Senator Birmingham. No remediation is being carried out on the PFAS contamination plumes, now spreading outside of defence bases in Oakey in Queensland, and Williamtown and Katherine. In 2018, Prime Minister Turnbull formed the interdepartmental committee on PFAS, under the environment department, to coordinate the government's response to PFAS. My question is to the Minister for the Environment. Why is the Department of the Environment and Energy not remediating PFAS contamination zones around these defence bases?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In Senator Birmingham's absence, Senator Cormann is representing the Minister for the Environment.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Roberts for that question. Let me just say that, as a government, we have taken the issue of PFAS contamination very seriously and we are taking all of the appropriate actions. Obviously, there is a long history to this and I'm quite happy to facilitate a briefing for Senator Roberts. This is a complex issue requiring an effective evidence based nationally consistent response. Government representatives are in regular contact with community members in areas where PFAS contamination has been detected, and the government is supporting PFAS affected communities by conducting extensive site investigations and delivering evidence based remediation solutions, by providing clean water where necessary, as well as information on other ways to reduce exposure, by providing dedicated mental health and counselling services where needed, and by investing in targeted research to better understand the effects of PFAS contamination, including an epidemiological study and the PFAS health research grants program. The government, as you would be aware, has provided $55 million for a drinking water program for communities surrounding Oakey Army Aviation Centre and RAAF bases Pearce, Tindall and Williamtown, over $60 million in support packages for the Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine communities, including an epidemiological study and associated blood-testing program, and $12.5 million for a national research program into human health effects of prolonged exposure to PFAS, informed by an expert panel established for this purpose. There is much more that we're doing but we are working our way through this in an orderly and methodical fashion.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Roberts, a supplementary question?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before asking the supplementary question, I just want to say that the people who I have listened to at Oakey have been devastated and they are not being remediated. I will, however, take you up on your offer for a briefing, Minister. Turning to my second question, let me be more specific: the PFAS contamination plume spreading from RAAF Base Williamtown has reached to within 50 metres of the high-tide mark of the Hunter River at Fern Bay. It is already adjoining Fullerton Cove. What is your department doing to stop PFAS contaminating the Hunter River?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Department of the Environment and Energy is working through these issues as appropriate. I will see whether I can provide further information on notice for Senator Roberts.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Roberts, a final supplementary question?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The contamination zone at Williamtown is in the Hunter Valley wetlands, which is a Ramsar-listed wetland. Your department has direct accountability for the environmental quality of Ramsar-listed wetlands. What are you doing to remediate the damage in the Hunter Valley wetlands?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I've indicated in my response to the primary question, the government is conducting extensive site investigations and delivering evidence based remediation solutions. In terms of the specific issue that Senator Roberts raises, I will add information to that, as appropriate, on notice.