The public have a right to know where illegal stockpiles of dangerous chemicals exist, and what the Andrews Labor Government is doing about it.
The Liberal Nationals will today move to amend the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 to require regular reporting on illegal stockpiles found by WorkSafe, the number of inspections carried out, and the locations where dangerous chemicals have been disposed.
Residents of Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs and other parts of Victoria are sick of seeing their communities treated like toxic waste dumps, and of living with threats to their health from industrial fires like those that occurred in Tottenham and Campbellfield.
Rogue operators who illegally stockpile dangerous chemicals should feel the full force of the law, but the Andrews Labor Government also needs to be held accountable for its failure to have a hazardous waste management plan in place.
The Andrews Labor Government’s Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Bill 2019 only seeks to increase fines and impose penalties for reckless conduct.
The public deserves to have confidence that regulators are also getting on top of the illegal stockpiling of hazardous waste, and that sufficient actions are being taken to eliminate risks to public safety.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Workplace Safety, Nick Wakeling:
“Members of the community shouldn’t have to watch factories go up in flames before they find out if they’re living near illegal stockpiles of dangerous chemicals.”
“If Daniel Andrews wants to assure Victorians that he’s getting on top of these ‘ticking time bombs’ in our suburbs, he should support our amendment to ensure greater transparency.”