Senate Community Affairs References Committee
8 April 2026
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Senate Community Affairs References Committee Australian Parliament
09:48 - 12:06
Speaker 7
Let's get going. So I declare open this hearing of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee's inquiry into the impact of microplastics and other toxics on human health.
I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders past and present, and I extend that respect, to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today. The committee will be conducting today's hearing via video conference and in person. I'm Senator Ormond Payne and we're joined by Senators Cox, Anand Raja and Rustin. These are public proceedings being video streamed live via the Parliament's website and a hand saned transcript is being made. I remind all witnesses that in giving evidence to the Committee they are protected by parliamentary privilege.
It is unlawful for anyone to threaten or disadvantage a witness on account of evidence given to a committee and such action may be treated by the Senate as a contempt. It is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence. Witnesses also have a right to request to be heard in camera. If a witness objects to answering a question, they should state the ground upon which the objection is made and the committee will determine whether it will insist on an answer having regard to the ground which is claimed. If the committee determines to insist on an answer, a witness may request that the answer be given in camera.
I remind senators of their obligations under the behaviour code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect, And I remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via video conference and who are not speaking to mute their microphones. I now welcome representatives of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Thank you very much for appearing before the committee today. The senate has resolved that an officer of a department of the Commonwealth or of a state shall not be asked to give opinions on matters of policy and shall be given reasonable opportunity to refer questions asked of the officer to superior officers or to a minister. This resolution does not preclude questions asking for explanations of policies factual questions about when and how policies were adopted.
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