A missing person alert dropped into some reporters' inboxes on Wednesday. ''Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Minister Robyn Parker please contact me,'' it read.
A missing person alert dropped into some reporters' inboxes on Wednesday. ''Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Minister Robyn Parker please contact me,'' it read.
The message was from Labor's sharp-witted environment spokesman, Luke Foley. It was his latest attempt to ramp up pressure on Ms Parker, the NSW Environment Minister, over her handling of the leak of toxic hexavalent chromium from Orica's Newcastle plant the previous Monday, August 8.
In Mr Foley's view, Ms Parker was missing in action; while he and the Opposition Leader, John Robertson, had visited the affected suburb of Stockton, Ms Parker had not been been seen since a shaky media conference after the incident became public.
Labor achieved a partial victory this week when the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, announced that an inquiry would look into not only Orica's reporting of the leak, but how it was handled by his government.
Apart from scrutinising the government's actions, Labor has a couple of good reasons to go hard. Parker took the previously safe Labor seat of Maitland at this year's election, so anything that discredits her improves its chances of winning it back.
It also adds ballast to Labor's criticism of the O'Farrell government's performance on environment issues.
Labor had already used the Orica story to remind the public of the government's early decision to axe the Environment Department and downgrade it to an office within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The apparent bungling of the Orica incident made a mockery of O'Farrell's defence that the move ''elevated'' environment issues to where he could keep a closer eye on them, they said.
Parker was at the centre of that early skirmish as well. She was forced off the Liberals' upper house ticket for the 2011 election following a factional deal cut by O'Farrell in early 2010 to keep the leading moderate Catherine Cusack in the upper house and keep the peace between the factions.
In return, Parker was supported to contest the lower house seat of Maitland - far from a shoo-in for the Liberals.
She was controversially rewarded by O'Farrell for her victory with the environment portfolio at the expense of Cusack, who was widely expected to get the job.
O'Farrell took some flak over the move, as Cusack's dumping was seen as a sop to the Shooters and Fishers Party, which had been critical of Cusack. So, O'Farrell has a lot invested in Parker.
Yesterday, there were renewed calls for him to stand her down pending the outcome of the Orica inquiry. O'Farrell has been desperately trying to keep the focus on Orica's actions and what he has termed ''apparent delays'' in its reporting of the incident.
But the facts so far reveal Orica waited for 16 hours to alert the Office of Environment and Heritage about the leak.
With the same information, Parker waited almost 24 hours to alert the public, despite knowing Stockton residents might be at risk.
O'Farrell's desperation to distract the public from Parker was evident at the COAG meeting yesterday. Holding a doorstop with Canberra reporters, he suddenly asked if there were any questions about the story he had given a Sydney newspaper on widening powers for police to demand the removal of face coverings. There were no takers.
His next move is crucial. As it is his response to what is brewing as his first ministerial scandal, it will set the benchmark for his attitude to the all-important concept of ministerial accountability and whether it trumps the politics.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What happened in the Orica hexavalent chromium leak at the Newcastle plant?
The article reports a toxic hexavalent chromium leak at Orica’s Newcastle plant that became public after the incident on Monday, August 8. The leak affected the Stockton suburb, prompted media coverage and political attention, and led to calls for inquiries into both Orica’s actions and the government’s handling of the event.
How long did Orica take to report the Newcastle leak to authorities?
According to the article, Orica waited about 16 hours before alerting the Office of Environment and Heritage about the leak.
Why was NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker criticised over the Orica incident?
The article says Ms Parker faced criticism because she waited almost 24 hours to alert the public about the possible risk to Stockton residents, was described as ‘missing in action’ after a shaky media conference, and drew political scrutiny given her profile as the environment minister.
What did Premier Barry O’Farrell do in response to the Orica leak and mounting criticism?
Premier Barry O’Farrell announced an inquiry to examine Orica’s reporting of the leak and how his government handled the situation. He has also publicly emphasised apparent delays in Orica’s reporting and faced renewed calls to stand Ms Parker down pending the inquiry.
What will the announced inquiry into the Orica leak examine?
The inquiry, as described in the article, will look into Orica’s reporting of the hexavalent chromium leak and how the O’Farrell government managed the incident.
How did the opposition use the Orica story politically?
Labor ramped up pressure on the government by visiting the affected Stockton suburb, highlighting the delay in reporting, and using the incident to criticise the O’Farrell government’s record on environmental issues and its earlier decision to downgrade the Environment Department.
What were the exact timing differences between Orica’s report to authorities and the public alert?
The article states Orica waited about 16 hours to alert the Office of Environment and Heritage, while Minister Robyn Parker waited almost 24 hours to notify the public.
What does the article say about ministerial accountability in the Orica matter?
The article argues the Premier’s next moves are crucial: his response to this unfolding scandal will set a benchmark for ministerial accountability and reveal whether political considerations will outweigh holding ministers to account.
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