❓ Question on Notice regarding lead and nickel contamination in Esperance rainwater tanks. Minister disputes the accuracy of the member's figures, highlighting progress in reducing contamination levels and offering solutions to affected residents.
AnsweredQoN 48Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RAINWATER TANK TESTING — ESPERANCE
In light of the report on rainwater tank testing in Esperance that the minister tabled at the end of last month that showed that more than 60 per cent of tanks still had lead levels, and 72 per cent had nickel levels, above the Australian drinking water guidelines, despite cleaning, I ask — (1) Will the minister now order a comprehensive clean-up of lead from the environs and houses, including ceiling spaces, so that Esperance residents are not continually contaminated? (2) Why has there been ongoing contamination of nickel in rainwater tanks from the port? (3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
In light of the report on rainwater tank testing in Esperance that the minister tabled at the end of last month that showed that more than 60 per cent of tanks still had lead levels, and 72 per cent had nickel levels, above the Australian drinking water guidelines, despite cleaning, I ask — (1) Will the minister now order a comprehensive clean-up of lead from the environs and houses, including ceiling spaces, so that Esperance residents are not continually contaminated? (2) Why has there been ongoing contamination of nickel in rainwater tanks from the port? (3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(1) Will the minister now order a comprehensive clean-up of lead from the environs and houses, including ceiling spaces, so that Esperance residents are not continually contaminated? (2) Why has there been ongoing contamination of nickel in rainwater tanks from the port? (3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(2) Why has there been ongoing contamination of nickel in rainwater tanks from the port? (3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(1) Will the minister now order a comprehensive clean-up of lead from the environs and houses, including ceiling spaces, so that Esperance residents are not continually contaminated? (2) Why has there been ongoing contamination of nickel in rainwater tanks from the port? (3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(2) Why has there been ongoing contamination of nickel in rainwater tanks from the port? (3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(3) Will all the residents of Esperance who clearly cannot access their rainwater tanks now or in the future be compensated? (4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(4) What plan does the minister have to prevent nickel dust and odour from escaping into the air from ongoing export activities in Esperance? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for the question, but I seek some clarification of it. The question seems to refer to something other than the document I released. The member said that the results suggested that some 60 per cent of rainwater tanks still had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Is that what the member said? Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the 97 tanks in group 1 that had been cleaned and retested, over 60 per cent of those tanks had lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : No. I think that is certainly not a correct reading of the results. Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : It is! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It is not a correct reading of the results. The results showed that around 20 per cent of the tanks had elevated levels of lead, and around 7.4 per cent of tanks had an elevated level of nickel. I think the member is confusing the figures, and they, of course — Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr G.G. Jacobs : Of the ones that were cleaned and retested — The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I think the member is getting confused because the report stated that of those tanks that were retested, there was not a great deal of difference between those tanks that had previously been cleaned and those that had not previously been cleaned. I think the member’s assumptions are quite wrong. Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Dr K.D. Hames interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
The SPEAKER : I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : From the information I have, there is no basis for saying that more than 60 per cent of tanks in Esperance have lead levels above the Australian drinking water standards. Those tests were done in October. There was another very extensive clean-up at the port in November and December. The airborne monitoring tests that were done subsequent to that clean-up returned the lowest ever lead levels that have been recorded. Quite clearly, substantial progress is being made, and these levels are certainly reducing. I think the figures showed about an 80 per cent reduction in the nickel levels recorded in those tanks, which is a very significant reduction. As well as dealing with the lead levels issue, we have been taking very firm steps, after the surprise of nickel, to deal with the nickel issue, including requiring a ship to remain at sea for quite some time until we were satisfied that the weather conditions were safe, which was necessary to protect the community. We will make no secret of it. We believe that the nickel should be converted to containers, and that is our ultimate aspiration. We are working with those involved in the nickel trade to achieve that outcome. That is ultimately the desirable outcome but, in the meantime, we have achieved very significant improvement in the whole issue of nickel contamination. In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
In the case of rainwater tanks that are still recording high lead levels, the government is offering either a further re-clean for those households or, alternatively, a reverse osmosis process that can be used to get higher quality water from their scheme water supply. They have a choice. We are offering a choice. It has taken some time to effect a thorough clean-up, but the results have been constantly improving. We are not saying that the story is over, but we are very satisfied that very real progress has been made.
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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.