Senate calls for more information following leukaemia discovery

THE Senate has called for more submissions following “compelling evidence” heard during the inquiry into a potential cancer cluster on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Despite the parliamentary website declaring that public submissions are now closed, the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee investigating the matter is allowing more evidence to be emailed for consideration.

The extension comes as Senator Sarah Henderson made calls for the committee to investigate a concerning number of leukaemia diagnoses in the area between 1982 and 2000.

The concerning statistics were presented during the public hearing that took place on April 20 at Barwon Heads Community Hall.

“Data from the Victorian Cancer Registry revealed that during this period, there were 42 per cent more cases of leukaemia in Barwon Heads than occurs in the ordinary population,” Ms Henderson said.

The inquiry, which first began in 2019, is a result of allegations made by independent research group, Discovery 3227 which believes Malathion, previously used to treat mosquitos in the area between mid-1980s to 2012, is linked to illnesses such a leukaemia and breast cancer along with other autoimmune conditions.

Local woman Belinda Cox attended the public hearing and is now pleading for people to come forward.

“The public hearing provided such compelling personal evidence that the Senate asked for more submission to be emailed for inclusion and consideration as soon as possible,” she said.

“Data was presented by chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton which indicated a 24 per cent higher rate of breast cancer and a 42 per cent higher rate of leukaemia on the Bellarine compared to the rest of Victoria.

“The figures were diluted with the inclusion of the new population at 13th Beach and didn’t account for any holidaymakers who have spent their summers regularly here or people that resided here and moved away.”

As a result, the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee requested that Mr Sutton communicate with anyone in Victoria that has been diagnosed with leukaemia since the late 1970s and establish any links they may have with the Bellarine Peninsula.

At the time, spokespeople for the City of Greater Geelong told the committee that the spraying of residential streets in Barwon Heads was not a part of their core mosquito management program.

The Victorian Cancer Registry further attributed the higher-than-average rate of breast cancer to socio-economic factors rather than chemical exposure.

Despite this Ms Cox is calling for more submissions “to establish an accurate figure to be associated with the possible cluster”.

The Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee currently has until June 17 to deliver a final verdict.

To make a submission email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Bellarine Cancer Cluster Inquiry: Submission for consideration’.