Senate inquiry into a possible cancer cluster on the Bellarine Peninsula

The Senate Community Affairs References Committee has extended the date for submissions to its inquiry into investigations into a possible cancer cluster on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria to 27 March 2020.

‘The committee is seeking submissions from a wide range of people, including from residents in the Bellarine area,’ said the Committee Chair, Senator Rachel Siewert.  The committee wants to ensure that people have enough time to prepare their submissions so we have extended the date’, Senator Siewert said. ‘If you cannot get your submission to the committee by this date, please contact the secretariat,’ Senator Siewert said.

Making a submission

The committee is seeking submissions to the inquiry from individuals and organisations in relation to investigations into a possible cancer cluster on the Bellarine Peninsula.

If you would like to make a submission you may find it helpful to read the guide to making a submission available on the Senate website: Preparing a submission to an inquiry.

If you have questions, or need more time to write your submission, please contact the Community Affairs secretariat.

Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing programs, is available on the committee website: www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca.

Media enquiries: Office of Senator Rachel Siewert, Committee Chair on (02) 6277 3587.

For background information: contact the committee secretariat.

Inquiry Terms of Reference

Investigations into a possible cancer cluster on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, with particular reference to:

(a)        the health concerns of local residents;

(b)        the incidence of cancer cases in the area, and any possible environmental or other contributing factors;

(c)        the evidence, approach and outcomes concerning the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s investigation of cancer rates on the Bellarine Peninsula; and

(d)        any other related matter.

Public hearings

The committee plans to travel to the Bellarine Peninsula to hold a public hearing on  1 May 2020, to hear first-hand from residents and gain an understanding of the context in which these concerns have arisen. The times and venue for the committee’s hearing will be published on the inquiry website. Most committee hearings are held in public and anyone is welcome to come and listen. The audio and video of each hearing will also be broadcast live on the internet: www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament  Further information about what to expect when attending a Senate committee hearing is available on the Senate website: Attending a public hearing

28 February 2020