Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share 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.