Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Minister Gallagher. Due to the military base in Jervis Bay and the extensive firefighting training using dangerous, human made, forever chemicals known as PFAS, the neighbouring Aboriginal community of Wreck Bay has had to deal with extensive water and soil contamination, resulting in a massive cancer cluster in a small community. How often is the PFAS content in the local Mary Creek being assessed, and how is the community being informed of the level of toxicity?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe for the question. I will have to come back to you with an answer on that. I am aware of the research that's been done around the harmful effects of PFAS, both the occupational impact of PFAS and some of the health impacts consequentially of living close to contaminated sites. I think we are learning more and more about PFAS as more research is done into it. So I am aware of that and some of the concerns particularly around cancer clusters relating to PFAS.

In relation to Wreck Bay, I will have to come back to you. I will see if something that has just been handed to me provides me with any further information around Wreck Bay. I'm not sure it does. But I can understand if there is a cancer cluster there that people are genuinely concerned. I will take further advice on what information and support can be provided.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Thorpe, a first supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Health research clearly shows that there is no safe limit for PFAS in water. Australian limits for PFAS chemicals are often hundreds of times higher than in Canada and the US. Does the government plan to lower the limit for these toxic chemicals in our drinking water?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe for the question. Again, I might need your indulgence to come back and provide you with some further information if I am able to. I am aware that there is more understanding of the impacts of PFAS chemicals and the prevalence of it. I think it previously had been seen to be largely on defence sites and in areas like that, but certainly people are becoming aware that it is more prevalent. I will take some further advice on the issues you raise about contamination and water.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Thorpe, a second supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the government plan to ban all PFAS chemicals given there is extensive evidence confirming their harmful impact on everyone's health and this whole country's environment?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will correct this if I need to. I am not aware of plans to ban, but I am aware that there is a standard. It's the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard. It provides a national approach to managing the use, storage, handling and disposal of industrial chemicals such as PFAS. But I'll see if there is further information I can provide.

In relation to your earlier question on drinking water, I am advised that the NHMRC is progressing an independent review of the Australian health based guideline values for PFAS in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The review will consider recent guidance and reviews from international and national jurisdictions and determine whether they are suitable to adopt or adapt in the Australian context. So the NHMRC is doing some work on that. But I will come back to you with more information. (Time expired)