Hon Giz Watson questions the Department of Health on environmental health impact assessment standards, their legal basis, stringency, and associated public liability. The Department outlines the standards used and claims no public liability.

AnsweredQoN 994Legislative Council
Asked
12 August 2003
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What standards for assessing environmental health impacts does the Department of Health employ to determine the health and safety of the public facing possible and actual environmental health risk situations?
(2) What statutory authority do these standards have in Western Australia?
(3) Do these standards provide Western Australia the most up to date and most stringent environmental health protection?
(4) What public liability does the Western Australian Government have in relation to the use of these standards?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
4 September 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
23 days
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) enHealth Council National Industrial Chemical Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Where appropriate Commonwealth standards are not available, the Department of Health utilises standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). (2) There is no explicit statutory authority underlying these standards in Western Australia. However, there is a general provision in health legislation to incorporate by reference such standards in any regulation or local law. (3) Yes. (4) None. The standards used by the Department of Health are based upon the best and most current information available.
Where appropriate Commonwealth standards are not available, the Department of Health utilises standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). (2) There is no explicit statutory authority underlying these standards in Western Australia. However, there is a general provision in health legislation to incorporate by reference such standards in any regulation or local law. (3) Yes. (4) None. The standards used by the Department of Health are based upon the best and most current information available.
(2) There is no explicit statutory authority underlying these standards in Western Australia. However, there is a general provision in health legislation to incorporate by reference such standards in any regulation or local law. (3) Yes. (4) None. The standards used by the Department of Health are based upon the best and most current information available.
(3) Yes. (4) None. The standards used by the Department of Health are based upon the best and most current information available.
(4) None. The standards used by the Department of Health are based upon the best and most current information available.

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