Page 1834 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 1 May 1991
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Given the recent publicity which shows that there is some concern about atmospheric lead levels in Canberra, and the document that Mr Humphries has now tabled which shows that the atmospheric lead levels have in fact exceeded the National Health and Medical Research Council's recommended levels, I would ask you, Mr Kaine: What action are you taking on the continued supply of high lead country grade petrol in the ACT?
MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, it is clear that members of the Opposition will have a go at one Minister and when they do not think they have got the right answer they will have a go at another one. I am surprised that they did not ask Mr Duby or Mr Collaery. The fact of the matter is that the Government has this matter well under control. The very fact that we know the levels indicates that we are conducting a very close monitoring. In fact, it is monitored at four different points in Canberra constantly. Occasionally, as Mr Humphries pointed out, the level does exceed the permissible levels, and nothing has changed with that. It exceeded permissible levels when you were Chief Minister and it has exceeded permissible levels at different times of the year for many years. As Mr Humphries I think also pointed out, the use of leaded fuels is reducing. Therefore, the number of occasions when the limits are exceeded will reduce progressively. That is the current status.
To deal more specifically with your question, it may well interest you to know that the Cabinet in fact discussed this question only on Monday. As a result of that discussion, the two responsible Ministers - who happen to be Mr Collaery and Mr Duby, but I notice that you never ask them a question on the subject; you might address your questions to the appropriate Ministers once in a while - are, at the request of the Cabinet, contacting the oil companies, because it is our understanding that if we put a ban on the supply of leaded fuel today we simply would not get sufficient fuel supplies made available.
Mr Connolly: Mr Collaery said that he does not believe what the petrol companies say.
MR KAINE: I am telling you, Mr Connolly, whether you choose to listen or not, what the oil companies say. Because they say that and because there is a continuing problem, Mr Collaery and Mr Duby, at the request of the Executive, will be inviting the oil companies to discussions to find out just what the true position is now.
The advice that we would get no fuel if we put a total ban on leaded fuel is now dated and it may or may not still be true. But, if you really want to know the situation, we will determine, by discussion with the oil companies, what the true situation is and we will inform you. If you just
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