Media Release Wednesday 9 April 2014

It’s disappointing that Shane Rattenbury has sold himself out as a Greens MLA by deciding not to support the Canberra Liberals’ call for an independent inquiry by the Auditor-General into reporting failures at the Koppers site in Hume, Shadow Minister for Environment Nicole Lawder said today.

“It was Shane Rattenbury who originally floated the idea that the Auditor-General investigate this matter. It’s disheartening to see that he has now abandoned that position simply to conform to ACT Labor,” Ms Lawder said.

“No-one has denied that groundwater has been contaminated at the Koppers site. Given the ACT Labor government under Jon Stanhope failed to obtain independent tests since 2007, surely it’s appropriate for the Auditor-General to investigate alleged systemic failures. The goal is to ensure we now have appropriate processes and legislation in place.

“Many Canberrans have raised concerns with me about contamination around the Koppers site and possible consequences. This issue is too serious for political ducking and weaving. The Auditor-General should investigate,” Ms Lawder concluded.

Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432