JUST IN:
The Parliament has handed down its report for the Inquiry into the management of PFAS contamination in and around Defence bases.
Nine recommendations have been published including a recommendation that the Australian Government assist property owners and businesses in affected areas for financial losses.
The recommendations include:
(1) The Government appoint a Coordinator-General to coordinate the national response to the PFAS contamination issue.
(2) The Government continue to upscale its investment in the containment of PFAS contamination plumes, and the remediation of contaminated land and water sources.
(3) The Government review its existing advice in relation to the human health effects of PFAS exposure, including to acknowledge the potential links to certain medical conditions
(4) The Government, as soon as possible, undertake measures to improve participation in the voluntary blood testing program for PFAS
(5) The Government assist property owners and businesses in affected areas for demonstrated, quantifiable financial losses associated with PFAS contamination that has emanated from Defence bases. Priority for compensation, including the possibility of buy backs, should in the first instance be given to the most seriously affected residents
(6) The Government make available free, individualised case management and financial counselling services to those affected by PFAS contamination.
(7) The Government implement legislation and policies to:
– Ban nationally the use of, contain, and ultimately safely destroy, long chain PFAS-based firefighting foams (including those containing PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS);
– Place appropriate restrictions on the non-essential use of shorter chain PFAS-based foams.
– Continue to encourage the use of PFAS-free alternatives wherever possible.
(8) The Government urgently ratify the listing of PFOS under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
(9) The Government initiate an independent review of environmental regulation of Commonwealth land.
We’ll have more details in tonight’s news.
