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If ratification proceeds, DELWP has committed to supporting the implementation of the standard and working with the Australian Government and other states and territories to update the National Implementation Plan.
Finding IGEM considers this commitment is progressing satisfactorily.
Recommendation 22 That the Victorian Government implement a strategy for ensuring that all relevant regulatory agencies are kept up to date on the latest scientific evidence relating to the risks associated with exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals. Government commitment: Continue to support this good practice by highlighting the need for collaboration and information sharing through its regulatory improvement programs, including through Statements of Expectations that ministers provide to regulators within their portfolios. Lead agency
DTF
Status
Complete
The inquiry observed that scientific evidence on the human health effects of PFAS was rapidly evolving, therefore it was crucial that Victorian regulators kept themselves informed of the latest evidence in the field to avoid making decisions based on outdated information. The government response acknowledged that all relevant regulators must keep up to date with the latest scientific evidence on risks associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials. It noted that current regulatory practice already required regulators to work together and share relevant information through regulatory improvement programs including: •
the community of practice facilitated by the independent Commissioner for Better Regulation
•
the Statements of Expectations that ministers provide to regulators within their portfolios
•
policies developed by the Department of Treasury and Finance's Better Regulation Unit to improve the performance of regulators.
Regulators community of practice The Commissioner for Better Regulation is responsible for convening a community of practice to facilitate information sharing between participating regulators and improve regulatory practice. DTF advised that all Victorian regulators are invited to attend and that regulators leading government commitments in response to the inquiry, such as EPA and WorkSafe, are regular attendees. Community of practice events are held several times a year. DTF presented at the March 2018 event on the need for regulators to share information on scientific evidence. DTF noted that it remained the obligation of individual regulators to evaluate scientific evidence in the context of their specific regulatory environment before determining whether it should be shared.
