"Toxic Dysfunction" of Government Eroding Williamtown Solution

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson believes the "toxic dysfunction" of the State and Federal Governments has derailed their ability to find a solution for Williamtown.

The MP flew to Canberra yesterday to meet with Defence Minister Senator Marise Payne and Head of the PFAS Taskforce Senator James McGrath to demand answers.

But she says she came away disappointed with no answers, only being told that a number of options were being considered.

Senator Payne stated during the meeting that "defence stands ready to do whatever is asked of it from the Government".

Senator James McGrath and Senator Marise Payne at
Williamtown in May this year.

"I think it really speaks to the bigger problem that we have a Prime Minister who is incapable of making a decision and is battling to keep his job and batting off people that want his job. The buck stops in Cabinet, in Cabinet is where the big decisions are made," said Meryl Swanson.

Meryl Swanson said she came away with one startling revelation - Defence wasn't asked to come to Williamtown for the latest Williamtown Community Reference Group briefing where the Environmental Protection Authority informed residents the 'management area' or Red Zone had been expanded to include another 250 properties.

She says to get anywhere, everyone needs to work together, not pit everyone against each other.

"The last thing we want is the NSW Government and the NSW agencies like the EPA and Health, pitting Defence against the community. We need to be working together on this."

Meryl Swanson says a little bit of fault lies with all of the parties involved and she won't stop fighting for Williamtown until the problem is solved.

"The next step for me is to get back to Canberra on Sunday and go into next week continuing to push hard. I'm going to again contact the Prime Minister and say what is going on here and I'm going to continue to fight for the people of Williamtown like I have been."

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson at Williamtown in May this year.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson: Be on notice.

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson's persistence paid off yesterday when Williamtown residents finally had the opportunity to meet with Defence Minister Marise Payne and head of the Prime Minister's contamination taskforce Senator James McGrath.

Behind closed doors on a cattle farm in Salt Ash, 20 residents told their harrowing stories face-to-face with people who could make a difference, and residents hoped it did.

It's a meeting the Paterson MP has been pushing for some time, and finally, the Defence Minister made good on her promise to come to Williamtown and meet with residents if she was re-elected.

Residents stories will be taken back to Canberra, and Meryl Swanson says it couldn't be too soon.

"You've come, you've said that you've heard us, I am supportive of what they've done today and I'll sing their praises for that but if they let us down all bets are off. We've given them faith and trust and I've played nicely politically today but, be on notice. We want action in Williamtown. it must happen."

Many residents are locked into a situation they simply can't see the end of.

"Can there be nothing worse than being a prisoner in your own home through no fault of your own. They don't want their bodies contaminated, they don't want their water contaminated and they don't want their properties contaminated"

Senator McGrath said he was touched by the harrowing stories of residents and is "deadly serious" about putting a plan in place to put an end to the contamination crisis.

"It's just so powerful when you sit and you hear it and you've actually got to look people in the eyes while they tell you we're still paying our mortgage while we rent somewhere else because we don't want our children to be exposed to this. We're retired, this is the only investment we have in our retirement," said Meryl Swanson.

Williamtown meeting behind closed doors

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Behind closed doors yesterday Defence Minister Marise Payne met with Williamtown residents alongside head of the Prime Minister's Perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) taskforce Senator James McGrath.

They heard stories from 20 residents on a cattle farm in Salt Ash, who are caught up in the Williamtown contamination scandal in one way or another.

Marise Payne promised their message would be taken back to Canberra, and Senator McGrath declared the government was in fact "deadly serious" about finding a solution for Williamtown and its residents.

"If I was to make my observation about the most compelling take out of today's meeting it is that people who are part of this community, who love this community, some who've lived here for a very long time want to be empowered to make decisions about what they do in relation to their own futures and their own properties amongst their own community for their children and for themselves. That is the message we will take back today," said Marise Payne.

Residents have had many meetings since the contamination scandal broke in September 2015 and have often had their hopes dashed that something would be done.

Yesterday's meeting was filled with mixed emotions with one resident accusing the government of criminal negligence.

"There are various options and solutions that we are looking into. It would be wrong for me to start going through the different options available that the government is currently looking into," said Senator McGrath.

When asked why it would be wrong to say what the government is looking into, Senator McGrath replied, "because we are looking into the different options that are available and what the government is looking at in terms of the Williamtown local community. It's something that I'm working on at the moment. It would be wrong of me to give a date".

Each resident had their story to tell and Lindsay Cout from the Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group said there are people who have left their properties and are now renting outside of the 'red zone', using their savings so they can cover their mortgages but they are drained out and running out of time.

"I am indifferent as to what impact it had, but we had the best environment for it and they heard some really harrowing stories  and the question was put to them 'How many more babies have to be born with high levels in their blood before somebody takes some action?' It's beyond talking now," said Lindsay Clout.

Marise Payne said the contaminants were once used broadly and internationally in firefighting foams, in scotch guard to protect lounge suits or on raincoats and in non-stick frying pan surfaces that are used every single day, so there was no conception whatsoever of their persistent nature.

"We still have questions in relation to their ultimate impact in health terms and in environmental terms."

"Well, I fully expected today there would be some hope given to those people that there would be some mention that yes we are considering that process but I didn't hear that... Defence needs to stand up and say it is time to get these people out of this contaminated area," said Lindsay Clout.

A 'minor victory' for Williamtown residents

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In what has been described as a 'minor victory' for Williamtown residents affected by the contamination 'red zone', Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath will visit the region to see the damage for himself.

Senator McGrath confirmed he will visit Williamtown next Wednesday with Paterson MP Meryl Swanson who has been inviting the senator to come for some time.

"He met with me yesterday, and confirmed. I have of course been inviting the senator and encouraging him to come to Williamtown and sit down and meet with Williamtown residents and talk to them about their plight," said Meryl Swanson.

It comes after the federal government set aside $12.5 million over four years for a health study into the affects of chemicals at the RAAF base in this week's budget.

Senator McGrath was appointed the head of the Turnbull government's contamination taskforce and therefore believes it is obviously an important issue.

He says the politics need to be set aside and a solution decided upon.

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"I'm keen to spend as much time with locals listening to their concerns and I'm happy to come back as many times as possible. The local Labor member Meryl has been fantastic in keeping me informed of what is happening on the ground there," 

"This issue is beyond party politics and its something that we should work together to find out a solution", said Senator McGrath.

Residents of the red zone have welcomed the visit, saying it is the perfect opportunity for the Senator to witness the toll on residents.