• 25/08/2011   Kooragang Island Orica chemical leak (Completed)

• 23/02/2012   Kooragang Island Orica chemical leak

Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Minutes of proceedings No. 35, Thursday 25 August 2011, Item 15, pp 374-376.

1. That a select committee be appointed to inquire into and report on the Kooragang Island Orica chemical leak, in particular:

(a) the response of Orica following the incident, including:
(i) how the Chromium VI was released and how Orica became aware it had been released,
(ii) Orica’s understanding of the geographic extent and environmental impact of the leak,
(iii) whether the potential health and other impacts of the leak on Orica workers and on the community around the company’s plant were adequately addressed,
(iv) the actions and timing of Orica in reporting the leak and addressing its immediate impacts,
(v) the adequacy of Orica’s emergency response plans and safety plans with respect to chemical discharge or explosion prior to the incident,
(vi) compliance by Orica with licensing or regulatory obligations arising from the incident,
(vii) whether other toxic chemicals stored or produced on the Orica Kooragang site have potential to affect the community and environment,
(viii) Orica’s response plan to the incident,

(b) the New South Wales Government's response following the incident, including:
(i) the timelines and reporting to the Office of Environment and Heritage within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Office of the Minister for Environment and Heritage, the Office of the Premier, the Department of Health, the Office of the Minister for Health, New South Wales Fire Brigades, the Office of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the Minister for the Hunter,
(ii) the actions of government departments and agencies once notified,
(iii) the actions of government ministers and ministerial staff once notified,

(c) the final report of the inquiry into the chemical leak at the Orica site being conducted by Brendan O’Reilly, and

(d) any other related matters arising from these terms of reference.

2. That apart from its first meeting, the committee is not to hold any further meetings until the first sitting week following the publication of the final report of the inquiry into the chemical leak at the Orica site being conducted by Brendan O’Reilly.

3. That the committee consist of seven members comprising:

(a) three Government members, nominated by the Leader of the Government,
(b) two Opposition members, nominated by the Leader of the Opposition, and

(c) two cross bench members, nominated by agreement between the cross bench members, or in the absence of agreement, by a vote of the House.

4. That at any meeting of the committee, any four members of the Committee will constitute a quorum.

5. That a committee member who is unable to attend a deliberative meeting in person may participate by electronic communication and may move any motion and be counted for the purpose of any quorum or division, provided that:

(a) the Chair is present in the meeting room,
(b) all members are able to speak and hear each other at all times, and
(c) a member may not participate by electronic communication in a meeting to consider a draft report.

6. That the committee report by the last sitting day of the second sitting week of 2012.

Membership
Minutes of Proceedings No. 37, Tuesday 6 September 2011, Item 19, p 395:
The President informed the House that the Clerk has received the following nominations for membership to the Select Committee on the Kooragang Island Orica chemical leak:
Government: Mr Khan, Mr Mason-Cox, Mrs Pavey
Opposition: Mr Foley, Mr Searle
Cross Bench: Mr Borsak, Ms Faehrmann.

Minutes of Proceedings No 57, Tuesday 22 November 2011, Item 18, p 596:
The President informed the House that on Friday 18 November the Clerk received Mr Borsak's resignation from the Committee and had subsequently received a nomination from Mr Brown to fill the vacancy.

Legislative Council Committee Report Debate, 23 February 2012