One of the reasons I put my hand up to represent the seat of Paterson was to stand alongside the people of Williamtown following the discovery of PFAS contamination. I remember the shock, the frustration and the uncertainty facing local families, farmers and landholders. People were worried about their health, about their properties, about their livelihood and about their future. After years of seeking answers and fighting with the then government, they had every right to be frustrated. Since the Albanese Labor government came into office in 2022, we've worked hard to move this important issue forward. We commissioned the independent review led by Jim Varghese. We tabled it in parliament and we're acting on its recommendations.

One of those recommendations was the establishment of the Williamtown Working Group. As we approach its first anniversary, I want to recognise the progress that's been made. Before the working group held its first meeting, I sat down twice with Minister Khalil and all four community representatives to discuss how to get it right. I want to acknowledge Minister Khalil's persistence and leadership in making sure local voices remain at the centre of this process. He has taken a genuine interest in the work of the working group and continues to closely monitor its progress. We wanted to hear directly from our community about what mattered most to them, and the message was clear: they wanted action on the drainage network, they wanted action on rezoning of the contaminated areas, they wanted genuine consideration of remediation options and they wanted an independent assessor to assess properties within zones of concern. These were the community's priorities, and they needed to be at the centre of the work, and that's exactly what the working group was established to do.

Since its first meeting in November last year, we've brought local, state and federal agencies together with community representatives to work through these challenges and progress practical solutions. A dedicated sub-working group has been tackling drainage issues, with community members playing a crucial role alongside local and state agencies. Port Stephens Council has now been provided with a scope of works to progress the agreed short-term drainage improvements, and the project has gone out to tender. This is a really important step forward on an issue that the community has consistently identified as a priority.

The New South Wales EPA is continuing to work on its rezoning of the contaminated zones, with further action to progress these outcomes expected in the new year. This is a massive step. The Commonwealth has also gone to tender for an independent assessor to undertake assessments for the affected landholders. These are tangible steps forward on the community's longstanding priorities and reflect the progress being made through the working group. I also want to acknowledge the important role being played by all the agencies involved. Progress can only be achieved when local, state and federal governments work together alongside the community to deliver practical outcomes, and we're doing just that.

We're making real progress with clear outcomes in a very, very difficult process. That doesn't mean we have all the answers, and it certainly doesn't mean the job is finished, but it shows what can happen when we listen to the community, we bring the right people into the room and we focus on getting real outcomes—getting things done. I want to thank the community members who continue to show up to the meetings, ask hard questions and hold us all to account. They've put countless hours into this process, and their persistence has helped keep focus on what matters most.

We know there is still a mountain to be done. PFAS is an incredibly complex issue, and we cannot undo more than a decade of uncertainty overnight. Residents need clear answers, continued communication and, above all, practical outcomes, and that's what we're working towards. We have made real progress, but we must keep the momentum going, and that's what we intend to do.