Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McAllister for her question. In fact, when the EPA requested access to the Williamtown RAAF base to undertake a site inspection, in addition to that request they asked some very specific questions which Defence wanted to be able to provide a response to them on before the visit was made. That information, I understand, is now ready to be given to the New South Wales EPA, and the visit will be organised in the near future. The issues were around aspects of soil containment—as opposed to contamination—in this case.

The EPA in New South Wales does not usually as a normal practice inspect Commonwealth property, but Defence does intend to allow for this inspection to occur. We are endeavouring to ensure that they are as well informed as they can possibly be of the operations of RAAF Base Williamtown and its practices before that site inspection occurs.