Question On Notice No. 2125 asked in the Legislative Council on 9 May 2019 by Hon Robin Chapple
Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Industrial Relations
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
(1) Does the Minister have a register of those individuals, living or deceased, who claim to have been affected by contact with the known carcinogen 2, 4, 5-T:
(a) if no to (1), why not;
(b) if yes to (1), does the register list include individuals names;
(c) if yes to (1), does the register include those individuals who developed other, non-oncologic conditions as a direct result of exposure to 2, 4, 5-T;
(d) if yes to (1), does the register include those individuals who have been affected by secondary exposure to 2, 4, 5-T; for example via washing the clothing of those exposed;
(e) if yes to (1), does the register include those individuals born with congenital disorders as a direct result of parental exposure to 2, 4, 5-T, either during or before pregnancy; and
(f) if yes to (b)-(f), would the Minister please table all the relevant information?
(2) How many people who were affected by contact with the known carcinogen 2, 4, 5-T have received full compensation settlement?
(3) How many people who were affected by contact with the known carcinogen 2, 4, 5-T have received partial compensation settlement?
(4) What was the total amount outlaid by the Government in compensation for people who were affected by contact with the known carcinogen 2, 4, 5-T and will the Minister please table the evidence?
(5) Is there a specifically assigned nurse for people who were affected by contact with the known carcinogen 2, 4, 5-T:
(a) if no to (5), why not;
(b) if no to (5), is there funding available; and
(c) if yes to (5), where is this nurse stationed?
(6) Has there ever been a specifically assigned nurse for people who were affected by contact with the known carcinogen 2, 4, 5-T:
(a) if no to (6), why not; and
(b) if yes to (6), where was this nurse stationed?
Answered on 13 June 2019
(1) No
(a) There is no requirement for a specific register listing the names of individuals claiming to be affected by exposure to 2,4,5-T, and associated health conditions. The chemical was banned from use in 1991. A register was used in 2004 to identify workers of the Agriculture Protection Board potentially exposed to 2,4,5-T in weed spraying programs in the period 1975-1985. However that was used to facilitate workers’ compensation claims at the time following an Expert Medical Panel finding that APB workers may have suffered an increase in the risk of cancer due to their exposure to herbicides containing 2,4,5– T in the spray program.
(b)-(f) Not applicable
(2) There have been 8 Agriculture Protection Board workers compensated for cancer related claims. The question refers to how many individuals have received ‘full compensation settlement’. There is no concept of ‘full compensation settlement’ in the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981. The amount of compensation paid to workers varies depending on the treatment required to ameliorate the injury or disease, the level of incapacity, whether the worker is working, whether the worker subsequently dies as a result of the injury or disease and whether the claim is settled by agreement between the parties. The compensation paid varies for the reasons stated above.
(3) See response to question (2)
(4) The Government has not made any outlays of compensation for persons affected by exposure to herbicide 2,4,5– T. The claims from former workers of the Agriculture Protection Board referred to in response to question (2) were funded via existing reserves in the relevant Insurance Commission of Western Australia fund for workplace injuries of Government employees.
(5) No
(a) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has advised that additional funding for a specialised nurse support service ceased in June 2010 due to the low level of inquiry and follow up work required.
(b) No
(c) Not applicable
(6) Yes
(a)-(b) In 2004, following the Government’s commitment to expedite claims from former APB workers with cancer, the Government funded a specialist nurse support service for former workers and their families who had health concerns arising from possible exposure to chemicals. The service was based in Derby.