COMMITTEES

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (11:40): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator GALLAGHER: The government will not be supporting this referral.

The Senate recently reappointed a select committee on PFAS with a similar remit as the inquiry being proposed by Senator Ruston. This includes the health, environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts of PFAS. Similarly, the House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water only recently reported in May 2024 on the environmental impacts of plastic pollution and extensively canvassed the impact of microplastic pollution on human health.

The Senate should have time to consider the findings of its existing work before commissioning further referrals on related issues. The PRESIDENT: The question is that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3, standing in the name of Senator Ruston, be agreed to.