Secret report reveals cancer-linked toxins in NSW: Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton has no excuses to be unaware

Under fire Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton has no excuses for being unaware of a scandal over toxic waste being dumped in regional NSW. SEE THE SECRET REPORT THAT PROVES WHY.

• Dumped toxic waste across NSW for 18 years

Under fire Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton has no excuses for being unaware of a scandal over toxic waste being dumped in regional NSW as she is the chair of a board that funded six investigations into the practice.

The Daily Telegraph has also obtained a secret May 2017 report by the Environmental Trust which revealed how it delayed the publication of a scientific journal articles linking the green scheme that dumped recycled red bin waste as “fertiliser” in rural NSW to cancer-linked toxins until it figured out how to spin the story.

Ms Upton is the chair of the Trust.

Gabrielle Upton has no excuses for being unaware of a scandal over toxic waste. Picture: John Appleyard

The Daily Telegraph revealed this month how the red lid bin recycling scheme had spread toxic waste laced with potentially deadly chemicals. Picture: AAP

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“The EPA has requested no manuscripts are submitted to journals before the EPA has finalised a regulatory position based on the research findings. This is to allow the EPA the opportunity to engage with the (waste) industry and explain first hand the research findings and our regulatory response,” the report said.

It was 17-months later that the practice was finally suspended, as revealed in The Daily Telegraph two weeks ago.

Asked about the May 2017 report, a spokesman for Minister Upton said: “Minister Upton restates that she was not informed about the MWOO issue until September 24, 2018.”

The Daily Telegraph revealed this month how the red lid bin recycling scheme had spread toxic waste laced with potentially deadly chemicals as well as glass and plastic across NSW agricultural land for almost 20 years.

More than 100 farms have been affected, with Deputy Premier John Barilaro saying ongoing health risks “cannot be dismissed”.

The program was halted late October with Ms Upton blaming the head of EPA for not telling her sooner about the problems.

More than 100 farms have been affected, with Deputy Premier John Barilaro saying ongoing health risks “cannot be dismissed”. Picture: AAP

Acting EPA boss Anissa Levy has since quit.

The Daily Telegraph can today reveal the Ms Upton chaired Trust has been funding six major studies into the scheme since 2011 — conducted by CSIRO, University of Sydney, Department of Primary Industries, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and University of New England.

The May 2017 report for the Trust obtained by The Daily Telegraph is a summary of this research.

Shadow Environment Minister Penny Sharpe called for Ms Upton to quit.

“She’s got to go,” Ms Sharpe said.

“This is a serious matter that should’ve had the full attention of the minister for a long time.”

Ms Upton’s spokesman said the May 2017 report was “scheduled” to be discussed on September 12 by the Trust — however the meeting was rescheduled to October 10.