Hon Jim Scott questions the government's delay in establishing the Environmental Health Foundation, citing ongoing environmental issues. The government responds that the delay is due to ensuring a robust and accountable model for providing high-level independent advice.

AnsweredQoN 2154Legislative Council
Asked
29 June 2004
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Why has the Government failed to honour its promise to establish an Environmental Health Foundation?
(2) Have the terms of reference and funding for this Foundation been established?
(3) If yes to (2), what are they?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
(5) When is the Environmental Health Foundation expected to open for business?
(6) In view of the ongoing environmental and public health problems caused by the Bellevue chemical fire, the Brookdale waste facility, the spills of raw sewage into the Swan River and the discharges of arsenic into Cockburn Sound, what is the cause of the delay on this matter?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
17 August 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
49 days
(2) Yes. (3) Terms of Reference for the EHF are as follows: "To advise and make recommendations to the Ministerial Council on Health, Environment and Industry Sustainability (the Ministerial Council) on the impact, or potential impact, of point source emissions and chemicals on the health of the community, including workers." (4) Not applicable. (5) The Environmental Health Foundation will commence operations following ratification by the Ministerial Council, which is expected to occur later this year. (6) The priority for the Government has been to ensure that the Foundation can provide the Ministerial Council with high level independent advice on difficult environmental health issues. This process has resulted in a robust model which recognises the need for accountable funding requirements.
(3) Terms of Reference for the EHF are as follows: "To advise and make recommendations to the Ministerial Council on Health, Environment and Industry Sustainability (the Ministerial Council) on the impact, or potential impact, of point source emissions and chemicals on the health of the community, including workers." (4) Not applicable. (5) The Environmental Health Foundation will commence operations following ratification by the Ministerial Council, which is expected to occur later this year. (6) The priority for the Government has been to ensure that the Foundation can provide the Ministerial Council with high level independent advice on difficult environmental health issues. This process has resulted in a robust model which recognises the need for accountable funding requirements.
"To advise and make recommendations to the Ministerial Council on Health, Environment and Industry Sustainability (the Ministerial Council) on the impact, or potential impact, of point source emissions and chemicals on the health of the community, including workers." (4) Not applicable. (5) The Environmental Health Foundation will commence operations following ratification by the Ministerial Council, which is expected to occur later this year. (6) The priority for the Government has been to ensure that the Foundation can provide the Ministerial Council with high level independent advice on difficult environmental health issues. This process has resulted in a robust model which recognises the need for accountable funding requirements.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The Environmental Health Foundation will commence operations following ratification by the Ministerial Council, which is expected to occur later this year. (6) The priority for the Government has been to ensure that the Foundation can provide the Ministerial Council with high level independent advice on difficult environmental health issues. This process has resulted in a robust model which recognises the need for accountable funding requirements.
(5) The Environmental Health Foundation will commence operations following ratification by the Ministerial Council, which is expected to occur later this year. (6) The priority for the Government has been to ensure that the Foundation can provide the Ministerial Council with high level independent advice on difficult environmental health issues. This process has resulted in a robust model which recognises the need for accountable funding requirements.
(6) The priority for the Government has been to ensure that the Foundation can provide the Ministerial Council with high level independent advice on difficult environmental health issues. This process has resulted in a robust model which recognises the need for accountable funding requirements.

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