Thursday, 29 May 2025

Water treatment

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:39): (940) My question today is to the Minister for Water. PFAS and what are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ have been linked to a number of health problems, including cancers, liver damage, risks to fertility and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease. We have seen reports this week that 97 per cent of people in our state who are over 12 years of age have detectable levels of PFAS in their bloodstream. Can you please update the house on the levels of PFAS contamination in Victoria’s drinking water and recycled catchments?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:40): I thank the member for his question. It is a very topical question that I think many people are interested in, given that we all ingest water; it is part of us being alive as a race. What I can say is that our water quality is amongst the best in the world. I can also say that all Victorian water corporations fully comply with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and the Victorian Safe Drinking Water Act 2003. Victorian drinking water is safe, and it is secure for customers and communities. All water corporations routinely conduct tests to ensure drinking water quality meets the national guidelines, and all tests have been well within the guideline levels. The water corps monitor and manage water quality based on the risk-based approach required under the Victorian Safe Drinking Water Act, with guidance from the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The National Health and Medical Research Council are responsible for the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. These are informed by the latest scientific knowledge and expertise in the Australian context.

In relation to me and my role as water minister, it is to provide expectations to the appointed members of our water corporation boards to ensure our water corporations are meeting their obligations under the Water Act. The Department of Health administers the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 and the Safe Drinking Water Regulations 2015, so in relation to drinking water, questions relating specifically to standards and requirements around drinking water treatment and quality should be directed to the Minister for Health. Again, I know that this is very topical at the moment. I also understand that Mrs Tyrrell has asked a number of questions about PFAS in the past, and I am sure that her interest will continue in this area. I also understand that there is a Senate select committee inquiry that is currently underway, and they are due to report in August, so there will be continued interest in this area for some time.

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:42): The federal government has said that it will introduce national controls for PFAS chemicals from 1 July 2025, so I ask: in your role as Minister for Water in our state, what steps will you be taking to ensure swift implementation of these controls and to bring down these levels in our waterways and our water supply?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:43): The member is correct. There is a ban that will take effect as of 1 July 2025. That is a Commonwealth ban, and of course the states will work cooperatively with the Commonwealth to ensure that that ban is implemented. I can also say that in terms of regulation and monitoring of non-drinking water, that falls within the realm of the EPA and the Minister for Environment, and I am sure that they will also work with the Commonwealth in making sure that that ban is applied.