2015-09-01
Ms DUNN (Eastern Metropolitan) — I certainly echo the thanks that the chair of the committee has given to the staff supporting the inquiry, which to date has been extensive. The last chapter of the interim report that has been tabled summarises some of the issues and complexities that committee members are grappling with, given what we have heard. It is almost a matter of the more evidence we hear, the more questions we have. The issues that come to my mind are that we still do not have disclosure on the chemicals that are used in unconventional gas exploration. We also still do not have a wealth of information on health because of the longitudinal studies required to be undertaken to measure health impacts, and certainly in Australia there is difficulty with that data. What has really struck me is the number of community members who have submitted to the inquiry to date and also taken the time to come to public hearings on the inquiry. I think there are currently 64 communities within Victoria that have declared themselves gas field free, and it is extraordinary how that is rippling through this state at the moment. The other thing that strikes me is the matter of reputational risk in relation to our primary producers in Victoria. It is heart warming to hear that we have such a good reputation for having clean and green primary producers. It has been a recurrent theme. I look forward to the next stage of work in the inquiry when we will further investigate those matters listed in the last chapter of the report tabled before you today.