United Australia Party Commits to PFAS Buybacks

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

The United Australia Party has committed to property buybacks for Williamtown residents affected by PFAS if it wins the federal election.

Senator Brian Burston unveiled his party's policy during a visit to the University of Newcastle, alongside his official confirmation of $4.7 million dollars in grant funding for the University's research into PFAS remediation.

The Senator's announcement reveals the party is promising to follow all recommendations made by the Inquiry into the management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in and around Defence bases.

The party's policy includes the establishment of a fund, similar to an emergency relief fund, for property buybacks and remediation.

The former One Nation senator has long advocated for residents impacted by contamination.

In 2017 Senator Burston threatened to withdraw support for certain budget measures if the government didn't do more to support impacted residents, and last year called on the government to immediately implement a buyout program.

Brian Burston believes the government could have allocated funds for buybacks in the most recent budget, instead of committing $100 billion dollars to infrastructure projects.

"Those infrastructure projects over the forward estimates will take longer than the four years of those estimates and I believe the government could've allocated $20 billion dollars of that to a buyback scheme," he said.

"The estimate for buybacks throughout Australia of affected properties is around the $18 billion mark, so that would've resolved the issue instantly and still wouldn't have impacted on the infrastructure funding."

The United Australia Party is now the second minor party to commit to the Inquiry's recommendations following a commitment earlier this month by The Greens.

Image: ABC

$400 Million for PFAS Study But Still No Compensation

 BY MEGHAN RICHARDSON AND ISABEL EVERETT

The Department of Defense has revealed they plan to spend roughly $400 million over the next four years on investigations into PFAS contaminated military bases, like the one at Williamtown.

A total of 27 site investigations have been established, which aim to determine contaminated sites and begin PFAS management plans for the areas.

Half of the 27 investigations have already been completed, including the base at Williamtown.

Coalition Against PFAS president, Lindsey Clout says the investigation has done little to help the residents of the Williamtown area.

"It means nothing for us, this is nothing more than an extension of the investigation into the other contaminated areas across the country,"

"The investigations have already been completed at William Town. We've had a red zone for over 4 years, we've had a management zone for approaching two years and what's it meant for us?"

"It's meant nothing, we're still stuck here living in the contamination every day and the Prime Minister just continually ignores us."

$205 million will be spent in 2019/2020, $101 million the next year, and a further 91 million dollars is expected to be spent over the following two financial years.

Deputy Secretary of Estate and Infrastructure, Steve Grzeskowiak, says the funding for PFAS investigation and management will decline over the next four years as less exploratory activities need to be undertaken.

Mr. Grzeskowiak says the next step for the Defence Department is producing PFAS management plans for all of the affected sites.

These management plans include water treatment or removing contaminated soil around the military bases and the surrounding community.

Lindsey Clout said he has his doubts that the allocated budget is enough to clean up the area.

"Defence has spent $100 million already at the Williamtown contaminated area and we still haven't stopped the chemical running of the base."

The $400 million plan does not include any plans for compensation for the residents who were affected by the contamination.

Mr. Grzeskowiak said there has been no allocated or estimated figure for compensation as it is an 'unquantifiable contingent liability'.

Image: ABC

Williamtown Cancer Cluster Dismissed By NSW Health

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Williamtown residents have had their fears dismissed by NSW Health after an investigation into the effects of PFAS suggested there is no evidence of a cancer cluster.

Despite fifty cases of cancer along Cabbage Tree Road in fifteen years, NSW Health has said their investigation "does not indicate evidence of a cancer cluster in Williamtown."

Labor slammed the investigation as "a complete farce" after it was revealed that around 80 percent of the 12,500 people sampled do not live inside the contamination zone, with people as far away as Karuah involved in the study.

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington says it is "beggars belief" that conclusions could be made from a study which draws such a large population into a study that should be focused on a much smaller area.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington

Williamtown PFAS report disheartens residents

BY GRACE LANCASTER

Williamtown residents continue to be disappointed with the Federal Government's efforts to address the financial impacts of contamination due to the RAAF Base.

The report comes after a Greens and Labor sponsored motion calling for the Government to stop the spread of PFAS contamination, improve testing of the environment, and evaluate the financial impacts details the financial impacts on affected businesses and Red Zone residents. 

After being tabled behind Monday's deadline Patterson MP, Meryl Swanson, slammed the report speaking for the residents in Parliment yesterday as she called the it an insult to residents facing grim futures. 

"These people have grave fears for their financial futures, they have grave fears for their health due to the much publicised connections that have been made between PFAS and the human immune system and rates of cancer and their mental health is under siege."

Disheartened with the report on PFAS contamination, she told parliament yesterday the community is frightened, begging for the Government to help. 

"My community is on the edge...I call upon the Prime Minister, in fact, I am begging the Prime Minister and this government to intervene immediately." 

Patterson MP: Meryl Swanson