[Greens-Media] Greens call for Premier to lead evacuation of vulnerable from Morwell coal fire

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber today called on Premier Denis Napthine 
to start evacuating the most vulnerable people affected by the Hazelwood 
coal mine fire.

Mr Barber said, ?Premier Denis Napthine needs to step up, show leadership 
and do everything required to protect the health of the people of 
Morwell.?

'Premier Napthine has to step in and take direct responsibility for the 
Hazelwood coal fire health crisis.

'This morning we had a nice gesture with the Premier offering his house in 
Port Fairy as a safe respite for one family from Morwell, but his job as 
Victoria?s leader is to fix the problem for all 13,000 people of Morwell.

'Last night the Victorian authorities admitted on Lateline that evacuation 
planning is underway, but Morwell is still in the dark about these plans.

'Yesterday Victoria?s Chief Health Officer admitted on 3AW that despite 
advising the Morwell community that they should stay put, if she was there 
with small children, she would leave, for the sake of their health.

'This reactive release of critical information and grudging admission of 
the scale of the problem is unacceptable.

'The Premier keeps playing catch-up and has lost the confidence of the 
people of Morwell.

'From today, we need decisive action, open information and complete 
honesty.

'I have confidence in Victoria?s emergency services to plan and implement 
an orderly evacuation.

'The Latrobe Valley already has the highest burden of disease of any 
region in Victoria. This is a group of people whose health, in a lot of 
cases, wasn't good before this disaster started.?

'The real health question for Morwell?s population is the total, 
cumulative impact of the ash, smoke and individual pollutants such as 
carbon monoxide, not just the current levels of carbon monoxide.

'I have been to Morwell twice since the fire and I offer my deepest 
gratitude and admiration to the emergency services staff, especially the 
volunteers who are putting themselves in harm's way to protect others?, 
said Mr Barber.

For comment: Greg Barber MLC - 0433 044 771

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Liz Ingham
Office of Greg Barber MLC
Northern Metropolitan Region
Victorian Greens Leader

P: 9348 2622
M: 0409 333 595
E: elizabeth.ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au
W: http://mps.vic.greens.org.au


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 

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