Federal Election 2022: Paterson's Labor and Liberal candidates outline their party's PFAS response

Ms Swanson was joined by the shadow Minister for Defence, Shayne Neumann, at Fullerton Cove on Thursday, May 5, to announce plans for the comprehensive review to be introduced in the parliament's first term of government.

While the announcement would not commit to property buy-backs, Ms Swanson said it would provide the first positive steps for Port Stephens residents affected by PFAS after seven years of neglect by the federal government.

"This review will engage key stakeholders including Defence, state government departments and individual landholders and property owners as a first step for residents living inside PFAS zones in Williamtown and across the country," Mr Neumann said.

Fullerton Cove resident and small business owner Lindsay Clout said he was pleased the review would include "people on the ground".

"This could be a game changer ... calling for the repurpose of land. In seven years we have had nothing change, our properties are still contaminated and we still have the red line around us.

Defence is currently undertaking a national program to review, investigate and implement its approach to managing PFAS impacts on and around some of its bases around Australia, however this review is focused on contamination levels and remedial actions.

Ms Swanson said that Labor's review would specifically explore use and voluntary repurposing, including government acquisition, of contaminated land in an equitable and efficient manner.

"This will be the first meaningful step for people affected by PFAS taken by a government in seven years," she said.

"Solutions must be found for people who are stuck on land they can no longer use through no fault of their own. Labor will look for those solutions."

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Brooke Vitnell, the federal Liberal candidate for Paterson, said that if elected she would do her utmost to ensure the voices of affected residents would be heard in Canberra.

"Labor has previously heightened expectations of buybacks/buy outs of PFAS affected land only to go back on it much to the dismay of local residents," Ms Vitnell said.

"My grandparents lived on the PFAS affected land and one of my first actions within a week of being announced as a federal candidate was to meet with impacted residents at Fullerton Cove.

"As a local community-based solicitor in Medowie, I have represented members of the community impacted by PFAS, I am acutely aware of the issues."

She said, if elected, she would fight for more tailored support and increased mental health funding and services for affected communities, more funding for PFAS research, a dedicated PFAS call line more timely information of PFAS portals and the appointment of a PFAS coordinator general.

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