Speaking to the World Socialist Web Site on the eve of her latest case Hamilton explained that her efforts to uncover the documents all stemmed from the Carr government's unprecedented legislation stopping her challenge to the smelter. My lawyers obtained most of the information under subpoena and through legal discovery, but it could not be released once the case was shut down. One DUAP document revealed for the first time that the copper smelter had exceeded World Health Organisation guidelines for sulphur dioxide emissions 4,000 times in one year. This alarming information, never divulged to residents, was contained in correspondence between environment minister Pam Allan and planning minister Craig Knowles. The government has gone to such lengths to prevent the release of the documents that one wonders what else is in them.
People have the right to know what the government is concealing.
Apparently one file records the EPA director general describing as 'madness' the government's proposal to allow the reopened smelter to exceed pollution guidelines 150 times a year. Hamilton detailed the many health concerns held by residents. Even the mental anguish of worrying about our families' health is enough. We have to tell friends not to visit us for fear of what they might breathe in. She commented on the far-reaching implications of the Labor government's actions in blocking her legal challenge.