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

My question is for the minister representing agriculture, who I understand is Minister McCarthy. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, APVMA, evaluates, registers and regulates agrochemicals, including pesticides and herbicides. APVMA proposes to raise the maximum residue limit of a PFAS forever pesticide in berries and other foods 500-fold, despite it having harmful health impacts. When I wrote to APVMA about this, they replied that it is only their role to assess chemicals against legislative criteria and that it is the government's role to assess for safer alternatives and promote them. What is your government doing to phase out harmful PFAS pesticides so that our foods and bodies are not poisoned?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe for the question and for the advance knowledge of the question as well. Firstly, thank you for your work with PFAS and the Senate inquiry. I understand that the recommendations are before us. Can I say that, with the APVMA, clearly it is an independent regulator. They do make those decisions. But, in regard to the question specifically that you've asked, I understand that you will be also meeting with the minister in relation to the specific concerns that you've raised. On 16 June 2026, the APVMA proposed an increase to the MRL—the maximum residue limit—for the pesticide isocycloseram. Maximum residue levels are set at levels that pose no risk to human health, and the true safety limits are based on human health and are called 'acceptable daily intake'—ADI—or 'acute reference dose'. MRLs are set far, far below these health limits.

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

Senator Thorpe, first supplementary?

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

Reviews of APVMA have called out governance issues, industry bias and lack of independent decision-making, including relying on industry to provide their own toxicity assessment. Your government has done nothing to implement any of the recommendations to reform APVMA. When are you going to finally act to save people's lives who are being poisoned, particularly our children, who we give our berries to? (Time expired)

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Thorpe. I reject the assertion that the government is doing nothing in regard to this. Our minister is very vigilant across all areas of her portfolio and, in particular, this one, as I'm sure you will find when you have that meeting with her this afternoon. As I've said, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is an independent regulator administering a scientifically rigorous, risk based regulatory system for agriculture and veterinary chemicals.

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

Senator Thorpe, second supplementary?

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

It's not independent when it takes money from the industry. The APVMA is the only chemical regulator in the world to be majority industry funded, relying on the value of chemicals sold, which means it puts chemical approvals before the safety of the population in this country. Why is your government not fully funding APVMA to ensure they can work independent of industry?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Thorpe, the Australian government acknowledge issues raised in the reviews, and we are taking action to make sure the APVMA is a strong independent regulator with a clear understanding of its role and responsibilities. Throughout that reform process, the APVMA will continue to use the full suite of its regulatory powers to promptly finalise longstanding chemical reviews.