Parliamentary Inquiry to Respond to Cancer Concerns

A parliamentary inquiry will be established by a Morrison Government to investigate community concerns of a possible cancer cluster in Barwon Heads.

Member for Corangamite, Sarah Henderson, said “I have been meeting with local residents and hearing their concerns about the number of people with cancer in this area”.

“They want answers as to why it appears there is an unusual number of cancer cases and to understand if there are local environmental contributing factors.”

“Residents deserve to be heard and so far they don’t feel they have been given all the information or there has been sufficient investigation of the claims. I have written to Premier Daniel Andrews requesting that an independent judicial inquiry be conducted but have not had a response.”

“We again call on the Victorian Government to respond comprehensively to these community concerns.”

Health Minister, Greg Hunt, said “Sarah has been a strong advocate for the community and ensuring their voice is heard. In response to her representations, I have agreed to establish a parliamentary inquiry to investigate the health concerns of residents.”

The Victorian Government has issued a statement denying there is evidence of higher rates of cancer. The City of Greater Geelong has also denied that its mosquito spraying program is in anyway connected with these rates of cancer.

This parliamentary inquiry will provide residents with an important avenue to have their concerns raised, make submissions and have the issues investigated.