View the hearing on YouTube here.

View the program of witnesses here.

In August, Senator Lidia Thorpe successfully negotiated the establishment of a Select Committee to inquire into the health and environmental impacts of PFAS chemicals, following discussions with the Albanese government. 

The Select Committee on PFAS – chaired by Senator Thorpe – is examining the sources that expose people to these dangerous ‘forever chemicals’; the extent of their presence in the environment, food systems and consumer goods; the health, environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts of PFAS, and how regulation can be strengthened to protect the population from harm.

PFAS chemicals are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of over 14,000 chemicals that do not break down. They are used in firefighting foams and common consumer products like non-stick pans, food packaging, dental floss, cosmetics and activewear. 

Studies have shown that PFAS contamination of ground and drinking water is widespread globally, and it is understood that all humans carry some level of PFAS concentration in their blood due to the prevalence of these chemicals in the environment.

PFAS have been linked to environmental and health issues, including some cancers, but much remains unknown about the scale of potential impacts of these chemicals with successive governments failing to pursue stronger regulation.

Senator Thorpe says this inquiry is a positive step towards keeping people and the environment safe from these dangerous chemicals. 

She says that while addressing the impacts of PFAS will improve safety for the entire population, it is particularly important for First Peoples, who are disproportionately affected by these harmful chemicals through environmental contamination of Country that impacts traditional food and water sources.

Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:

“These chemicals already affect every single person in the world, yet not enough is being done to manage our exposure to them and reduce the risks.

“PFAS are the asbestos of the 21st century, just far more prevalent and far less understood.

“We’ve already seen worrying instances of cancer clusters with suspected links to PFAS chemicals. We cannot take them seriously enough.

“I am glad to have established this committee and inquiry, which will give us a clearer understanding of these chemicals, and how we can better keep people safe from them.

“This committee has the opportunity to drive change that will protect and improve the health of every single person, and the health of our waterways and Country.

“This is particularly important for First Peoples, whose cultural practices, Country, Waters and Totems are under threat from these harmful chemicals – not just on this continent, but across the world.

“We need to protect our future generations from these harmful chemicals.”