Warren Snowdon and Gai Brodtmann said it underscored the Federal Government’s ad hoc approach to managing PFAS contamination.

The Department of Defence is returning to Katherine for another update – Thursday, June 29 – this time at Knotts Crossing and not the Country Club.

Again, there will be two sessions, from 2pm and 5pm.

The sessions will provide an update on the year-long investigation into the escape of PFAS chemicals from the Tindal RAAF Base when they were used in firefighting foams between 1988 and 2004.

Katherine residents may pose questions on why voluntary blood testing is not going to be offered here, at least not until the study is complete likely next year.

It has been provided in at least two other communities adjacent to other RAAF bases.

Mr Snowdown and Ms Brodtmann said the government’s decision to refuse blood testing for Katherine comes almost six months after the Northern Territory’s Health Minister requested a voluntary blood testing program be rolled out in the Katherine community.

“Aside from advice that the community will need to wait for a further 12 months before blood testing could be made available, the Minister provided no additional advice regarding his Department’s work program to assist in the whole-of-government response to PFAS contamination,” the pair said.

“The Minister needs to be up front with the Katherine community.

“Why did it take so long for the Minister to respond to the NT Minister’s request?

“Why does the Katherine community have to wait so long for blood tests to help establish a baseline population sample to monitor the extent of contamination?

“Why are voluntary blood tests good enough for Williamtown and Oakey, but not for Katherine?

“Territorians are sick of being treated as out of sight and out of mind by the Turnbull government. They deserve transparency and answers to their concerns. Above all, they deserve to be treated the same as those affected by PFAS in other states,” Mr Snowdown and Ms Brodtmann said.

Water still safe to drink.