NSW:Inquiry to stop chemical delays: O'Farrell

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2011
NSW:Inquiry to stop chemical delays: O'Farrell

By Adam Bennett

SYDNEY, Aug 17 AAP - An inquiry into the Newcastle chemical leak will ensure NSW residents
do not suffer another public health hold-up, with Premier Barry O'Farrell pledging there
will be no repeat of last week's delays.

But the state opposition has accused the government of trying to cover up the spill,
saying the independent inquiry would not hold public hearings or investigate Environment
Minister Robyn Parker.

Ms Parker and the chemical company Orica are under fire for taking days to inform Stockton
residents about the toxic plumes of hexavalent chromium that escaped last Tuesday.

Mr O'Farrell on Wednesday released the terms of reference for the investigation, which
will look into ways to improve reporting requirements in the event of such a leak.

It will also examine how to improve public communication of a pollution incident by
companies and government agencies, and communication within government.

"I am determined that, in the event of any future similar incident, information should
be made public as soon as possible," Mr O'Farrell said in a statement.

"The inquiry will look at apparent delays in Orica's reporting of the incident to the
appropriate authorities and whether or not legislative changes are required to improve
the timeliness of reporting."

Former NSW director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet Brendan O'Reilly
will conduct the investigation into the leak and its aftermath, and will report back by
September 30.

"I want to ensure there is no repeat of the delays that have characterised this matter,"

Mr O'Farrell said.

The NSW opposition criticised the inquiry, saying that without public hearings and
an investigation of Ms Parker - who took 54 hours to notify the public - it was just a
"behind-closed-doors bureaucratic review".

"Unless the O'Farrell government gives a clear commitment to investigating Robyn Parker's
conduct last week, and a clear commitment to holding public hearings, we can only conclude
that this review is a cover-up," opposition environment spokesman Luke Foley said.

The release of the terms of reference came a day after opposition leader John Robertson
invited US environmental campaigner Erin Brockovich to tour Stockton.

Ms Brockovich is famous for her campaign against hexavalent chromium and has accepted
Labor's invitation to visit the area as early as next week.

"This is a woman who spent much of her lifetime campaigning against toxic leaks like
the one we've seen at Stockton," Mr Robertson told reporters in Sydney.

"Erin Brockovich is Robyn Parker's worst nightmare."

AAP ab/tr/jhp

KEYWORD: CHEMICAL WRAP

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