Monday 21 November 2016

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten concerned for Williamtown residents

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has personally phoned residents affected by the Williamtown 'red zone'.

Jamie and Samantha Kelly discovered their 10-month old son had significant levels of toxic firefighting chemicals in his blood - something Mr Shorten says is incredibly concerning. 

Mr Shorten personally contacted the family after meeting them two months ago when he was in the area.

The family are moving into a new rental property in Newcastle and Ms Kelly told the Newcastle Herald they had been inundated with kindness from the wider community. 

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says the problem isn't going away and she won't stop fighting for the Williamtown residents.

"I think the most important thing is that we maintain the pressure on this government to do something for these people and I am doing everything within my power to keep the profile of this story up in Canberra. I'm talking to as many people as I possibly can and Bill is certainly one of those people."