“THE Federal Government has been accused of trying to ‘slip under the radar’ by publishing findings of an investigation into toxic chemicals found at the RAAF Base Townsville during Budget week.
A report on the detailed site investigation into PER and poly-flouroalkyl substances (PFAS) on and in the vicinity of the base will be published on Wednesday – the day after the Federal Budget is handed down.
Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said she thought it was ‘a little bit underhanded’ to release the report during that week.
‘Clearly Budget will take all the airtime and attention, and rightly so, but this is an important report for our community,’ she said. ‘Our community expects transparency.’
Ms O’Toole said if people were not aware of the report it could ‘open the door’ for the Federal Government not to fund the requirements for further action.
‘The community have to be vocal to secure those funds,’ she said. ‘I think it’s really disappointing that the Federal Government has chosen to release the report in Budget week.’
‘You’d almost think the intention would be that it slip under the radar.’
Ms O’Toole said the Federal Government needed a ‘national solution’ for dealing with the cases of PFAS found in ground and surface water due to a variety of sources…
A Defence Department spokesman confirmed copies of the report would be available to residents who attended a community walk-in session scheduled for Wednesday.”
Read the full article by Clare Armstrong