POLLUTION MONITORING

In reply to the Hon. M. PARNELL (14 September 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation has been advised:

1. No.

2. The identity of the company referred to in the ABC's PM article was unknown to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) at that point in time.

3. The EPA undertakes its own monitoring in relation to point sources emissions, including from licensed sites, examples include continual monitoring at Whyalla and Port Pirie and short-term monitoring at sites such as the Lefevre Peninsula, Mount Gambier and Angaston. The data obtained from such monitoring can be used to assist in assessing data provided by licensees and/or to support the EPA in its regulatory decision-making.

The penalties under the Environment Protection Act 1993 for falsification of data are significant ($15,000 or 4 years imprisonment).

The EPA reviews the quality assurance and quality control reports for work it commissions with a laboratory. The EPA also considers the analytical reports against observations that are recorded at the time of sampling.

4. The EPA undertakes a range of actions (from direct monitoring to site inspections and desk top analysis) to ensure that licensees act appropriately to monitor and protect the environment. The penalties for falsification of data are significant.