Spin doctor feared on-air ‘ambush’ over cancer chemicals in drinking water

The NSW water minister and government agencies declined a media interview about the contamination of drinking water with cancer-linked chemicals amid concerns they could be “ambushed” or forced to debate a community member – a decision that sparked friction among top government spin doctors.

Emails tabled at a parliamentary inquiry on Monday reveal angst among bureaucrats after Water Minister Rose Jackson, Sydney Water and WaterNSW all declined to participate in the “highly critical” ABC interview last year.

ABC presenter Simon Marnie, Water Minister Rose Jackson and contamination campaigner Jon Dee.

In the broadcast, radio presenter Simon Marnie suggested the government was too “busy” to talk to thousands of Blue Mountains residents who had discovered their tap water was tainted with the so-called “forever chemicals”.

In a tense email exchange that followed, seen by the Herald, Sydney Water media manager Emily Waters was forced to defend the parties’ decision not to participate.

She said they declined in a “show of unity”.

“The decision was measured and considered and reflects our collective approach to the situation,” she wrote.

Asked about the emails this week, Jackson said the government had consistently responded to media questions about PFAS and its transparent approach included the proactive notification of new developments to journalists.

“Representatives from the NSW government, Sydney Water, and WaterNSW have engaged with ABC and other media outlets to address this topic,” she said.

“The NSW government rejects any suggestion that requests from media outlets have been denied due to critical reporting.

“It is standard practice for government departments and agencies to collaborate on responses to ensure that accurate, verified information is provided by the appropriate lead agency.”

The inquiry is probing the contamination of water supplies across NSW with per-and poly-fluoralkyl chemicals (PFAS).

Medlow Dam in the Blue Mountains was part of the drinking water catchment until it was dramatically shut down last August over PFAS contamination.

Authorities were pressured into testing the dam by a Herald investigation which challenged the official position that there was no need for routine monitoring of water supplies.

In the wake of the dam’s shock closure, Marnie invited Blue Mountains PFAS campaigner Jon Dee onto his program on October 12.

“Residents in the Blue Mountains who’ve been unwittingly drinking contaminated water are becoming frustrated by a lack of communication from the state government,” Marnie said.

“We here at Weekends totally understand that frustration.”

Medlow Dam in the NSW Blue Mountains has been taken offline after it was found to contain elevated levels of forever chemicals.Credit: Nick Moir

Marnie said he had “again” requested an interview with Jackson, but she was not available. Nor were the relevant government agencies, Sydney Water and WaterNSW.

“It just seems they’re very busy every Saturday, going back maybe even years,” Marnie said.

Following the broadcast, Katherine Kalk, a senior media advisor with the Department of Water, fired off an email to her counterparts in Jackson’s office.

Kalk wrote that the interview was highly critical of the parties for not being available and had been “flagged by Amanda Jones as particularly concerning”, an apparent reference to her department’s deputy secretary.

“Not sure if you were contacted with an interview request over the weekend or whether it would be worth it for the Minister or Sydney Water to go on ABC to dispel some myths?” Kalk suggested.

Waters, who was copied into the email chain, responded that it was appropriate to let the parties bearing “the brunt of the criticism” decide the best response.

Waters said she had discussed the matter extensively with Jackson’s media advisor, Skye Tito, and Marnie’s comments were “not a surprise”.

“There is no way I will be putting a rep up to speak to be ambushed by these guys and potentially put our talent in a position where Jon Dee confronts them live on radio.

“The impact of putting someone one [sic] outweighs the benefit as they have their agenda like the SMH.”

Dee took exception to that remark as he tabled the emails to the inquiry.

“We want to drink bloody well safe drinking water and we want to know what the impact of this has been on us, that’s our so-called agenda,” Dee said.

The inquiry continues.

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