When did Digance know about contamination?

Labor MP, Annabel Digance, whose electorate covers Clovelly Park, must reveal when she first found out about the risk to residents from groundwater contamination.

Labor MP, Annabel Digance, whose electorate covers Clovelly Park, must reveal when she first found out about the risk to residents from groundwater contamination.

In Parliament yesterday, the State Liberals asked Health Minister Jack Snelling and Environment Minister Ian Hunter:

“Has the local member, the member for Elder, been advised of this contamination?”

Minister Snelling responded:

“I will report back to the house.”

Minister Hunter responded:

“…I advise the chamber I will be advising them of all actions that we will take in due course.”

Yesterday, South Australians living in a contaminated area only learned about the health risks they face from groundwater contamination because of a Government leak to the State Liberals.

Only after the State Liberals’ pursuit of the Weatherill Labor Government in Parliament, did the Weatherill Labor Government belatedly reveal that 25 households in the Clovelly Park area will be forced to evacuate because of contamination.

In fact, 11 properties were found to have contaminated indoor air samples.

Doorknocking of residents commenced at 6pm yesterday, despite the Weatherill Labor Government knowing about the issue for at least 48 days and Cabinet agreeing to an action plan on Monday to advise residents of the need to potentially evacuate their homes.

Minister Hunter confirmed on radio today that indoor air sampling of homes in October 2013 revealed that TCE levels in the air were above levels recommended by the World Health Organisation.

“Ms Digance must now reveal when she was informed about this contamination,” said Shadow Environment Minister Michelle Lensink.

“The State Liberals understand that the Government has known about the contamination for at least 48 calendar days.

“Either way, the dangerous delay in informing residents is completely unacceptable and may have unnecessarily put these South Australians at risk.

“If Ms Digance was not informed about this contamination, she should join the State Liberals in condemning her Government’s appalling mismanagement of this very serious public health risk, which has affected her constituents and put them at risk.”