Albanese government receives PFAS review

Geopolitics & Policy

05 April 2024

The Albanese government has received the independent review into PFAS contamination around Defence bases but will take time to assess the findings.

The federal government is now expected to review the findings and recommendations of the independent review into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, before determining the Commonwealth’s next steps.

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The review focused on PFAS-contaminated land around RAAF Base Williamtown, the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey, and RAAF Base Tindal.

It was overseen by Jim Varghese AM, who visited the impacted communities, held public consultations, and engaged community members, industry and academia.

Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite thanked members of the impacted communities for their support in delivering the findings.

“The Albanese Labor government is committed to helping communities affected by PFAS contamination around Defence bases,” Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said.

“I would like to thank the local communities and individuals who contributed to this review. Your views and experiences will assist the government as we move forward.”

PFAS-manufactured chemicals were previously used by the Australian Defence Force in some types of specialised firefighting foams and legacy firefighting equipment to control liquid fuel fires. They began being phased out in 2004 due to potential negative health and exposure effects.

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“We know that Defence’s historic use of PFAS has resulted in some diminished opportunities for land uses around some Defence bases,” Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite said when launching the review in September 2023.

“The findings of this review will be important in informing the government about how to help communities affected by PFAS contamination around Defence bases.”

Liam Garman

Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Liam began his career as a speech writer at New South Wales Parliament before working for world leading campaigns and research agencies in Sydney and Auckland. Throughout his career, Liam has managed and executed international media and communications campaigns spanning politics, business, industrial relations and infrastructure. He’s since shifted his attention to researching and writing extensively on geopolitics and defence. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Strategy and Security with Excellence from UNSW Canberra, with a thesis on post-truth, postmodernism and disinformation operations.

Reach out to Liam via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.

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