❓ A parliamentary question regarding the potential health impacts of emissions from the Cockburn Cement refinery on local residents, specifically concerning respiratory issues, nosebleeds, and the use of face masks by children. The Minister denies awareness of official reports but acknowledges media coverage and offers to investigate if evidence is provided.
AnsweredQoN 234Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COCKBURN CEMENT REFINERY EMISSIONS — RESIDENTS’ HEALTH
I refer to the rally of local residents on 8 May 2010 to protest against increased emissions from the Cockburn Cement refinery and the potential impact on residents’ health. I have brought, for the minister’s benefit, a jar of cement dust that was collected from a local resident’s roof panels. (1) Is the minister aware of reports of people in the area suffering from increased breathing difficulties? (2) Is the minister aware that children have been reporting to local doctors with blood noses and sore eyes? (3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES
I refer to the rally of local residents on 8 May 2010 to protest against increased emissions from the Cockburn Cement refinery and the potential impact on residents’ health. I have brought, for the minister’s benefit, a jar of cement dust that was collected from a local resident’s roof panels. (1) Is the minister aware of reports of people in the area suffering from increased breathing difficulties? (2) Is the minister aware that children have been reporting to local doctors with blood noses and sore eyes? (3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(1) Is the minister aware of reports of people in the area suffering from increased breathing difficulties? (2) Is the minister aware that children have been reporting to local doctors with blood noses and sore eyes? (3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(2) Is the minister aware that children have been reporting to local doctors with blood noses and sore eyes? (3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(1) Is the minister aware of reports of people in the area suffering from increased breathing difficulties? (2) Is the minister aware that children have been reporting to local doctors with blood noses and sore eyes? (3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(2) Is the minister aware that children have been reporting to local doctors with blood noses and sore eyes? (3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(3) Is the minister aware that children are being forced to wear face masks while playing in school playgrounds? (4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(4) Will the minister act immediately to undertake a community health study to investigate, as a matter of priority, the health conditions of people living in the shadow of this facility? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
(1)–(4) The answer to most of those questions is no. I have seen some coverage in a local newspaper, to say that these allegations have been made. Nothing has come to me from the Department of Health to suggest that there have been any adverse effects as a result of that dust. Cement dust does not tend to create adverse medical effects. My own house in Mandurah suffers the effects of sand blowing from neighbouring properties. It is obviously different from cement dust; the product has a different consistency. The point is that with any of these things, if people believe that a substance is causing them medical harm, there is a process to follow, which does not normally include bringing it to the attention of the shadow Minister for Health. The process is to make a complaint to the Department of Health so that it can investigate. I am happy that this is an alternative method of presenting the matter for my attention, and I will have the health department look at it, if any of those people want to come forward and provide the evidence. Just because the shadow minister asks whether I am aware that people have complained of increased nosebleeds, does not make it true. Asking whether I am aware that there have been increased respiratory problems does not make it true, either. If he is going to make any allegations, he should provide some evidence that this may be the case. There has been no increase in reports to me as Minister for Health that this is the case.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.