Simon Corbell MLA ATTORNEY GENERAL MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MINISTER FOR TERRITORY AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES MEMBER FOR MOLONGLO

MEDIA

RELEASE

EXPERT APPOINTED TO REVIEW CONTAMINANT TESTING OF MITCHELL FIRE Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, has today announced the appointment of one of Australia’s foremost environmental toxicologists to lead an expert review of the testing for environmental contaminants, undertaken by Government agencies, following the Mitchell fire. “I announced late last week that the Government would be appointing an independent expert to review the Government’s testing regime following the incident at Mitchell. I am happy to announce the appointment of Professor Jochen Mueller to conduct this work,” Mr Corbell said. Professor Mueller currently works for the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology at the University of Queensland, where he is a Professorial Research Fellow and the Centre’s Group Leader for Water, Air Quality and Biomonitoring. “Professor Mueller’s research focus has been on the sources, fate and human exposure to persistent organic pollutants (such as PCBs and dioxins) and he and his team have played a major role in Australia’s National Dioxin Program, expertise which I believe is vital to this review”. Professor Mueller and his research colleagues have worked extensively on the occurrence of organic pollutants and have a sample archive which allows retrospective analysis of changes in pollutant exposure in Australia. Professor Mueller studied at the University of Hohenheim and at Griffith University prior to joining the University of Queensland’s leading edge toxicology research centre. His early research focused on the transfer pathways of dioxin-like chemicals from contaminated sites into food plants. “As I have previously said, I am committed to this review and I welcome Professor Mueller’s assessment of the Government’s testing regime following this incident, including any recommendations for future testing procedures.” “The Government will put in place a long-term monitoring regime around Mitchell that will include dioxins. Professor Mueller will also provide advice on this program.” “In-line with the ACT Governments commitment in June 2011 to an open Government, the outcomes of this review will be made available to the Canberra community.” Mr Corbell reiterated that testing during the incident and subsequent extensive analysis carried out by the EPA showed there was no health risk to the community. Statement Ends: Tuesday 11 October 2011 Media Contact: Patrick Cronan (Office) 6205 0401 (Mobile) 0432 758 224 [email protected]

ACT Government Phone (02) 6205 0000

Fax (02) 6205 0535