❓ Hon Dr Brian Walker questioned the Minister for Health regarding the Department of Health's plans for stable iodine distribution in Perth's southern suburbs due to increased nuclear-powered vessel activity related to AUKUS, and consultations undertaken for this public health scenario.
AnsweredQoN 450Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
AUKUS—Radiation poisoning
450. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister
to the ongoing AUKUS rollout in Perth's southern suburbs and to the increasing number
of nuclear-powered—and possibly nuclear-armed—vessels transiting Cockburn Sound
and tying up at Fleet Base West.
(1) What plans, if any, are in place
within the Department of Health to deploy supplies of stable iodine to local
hospitals, or indeed to the population at large, as a treatment against
radiation poisoning in the event of a nuclear leak or spill?
(2) Which hospitals in the region, if
any, already hold suitable supplies of stable iodine, and which, if any, are
likely to receive additional supplies in the coming months?
(3) What consultations has the Department
of Health undertaken, and with whom, regarding this potential public health
scenario?
450. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer the minister
to the ongoing AUKUS rollout in Perth's southern suburbs and to the increasing number
of nuclear-powered—and possibly nuclear-armed—vessels transiting Cockburn Sound
and tying up at Fleet Base West.
(1) What plans, if any, are in place
within the Department of Health to deploy supplies of stable iodine to local
hospitals, or indeed to the population at large, as a treatment against
radiation poisoning in the event of a nuclear leak or spill?
(2) Which hospitals in the region, if
any, already hold suitable supplies of stable iodine, and which, if any, are
likely to receive additional supplies in the coming months?
(3) What consultations has the Department
of Health undertaken, and with whom, regarding this potential public health
scenario?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable
member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided
by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The Department of Health has established
plans and exercised processes to pre-position and distribute supplies of stable
iodine to local hospitals, as required, based on needs and relevant
circumstances. The department has collaboratively engaged with partner agencies
in relation to AUKUS-related matters, including Navy Health, the State
Emergency Management Committee, the Australian Submarine Agency, the Western
Australia Police Force, St John Ambulance WA, and the Department of Fire and
Emergency Services.
member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided
by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The Department of Health has established
plans and exercised processes to pre-position and distribute supplies of stable
iodine to local hospitals, as required, based on needs and relevant
circumstances. The department has collaboratively engaged with partner agencies
in relation to AUKUS-related matters, including Navy Health, the State
Emergency Management Committee, the Australian Submarine Agency, the Western
Australia Police Force, St John Ambulance WA, and the Department of Fire and
Emergency Services.
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