The New South Wales environment minister, Matt Kean, has walked back suggestions the government has abandoned a long-promised clean air strategy for the state, blaming his office.
Kean said his office was incorrect when it told Guardian Australia that the government would not be introducing a standalone strategy to tackle air pollution after four years of planning that included a summit on the issue.
He said it was an error due to a “mix up”, and that the government intends to deliver the plan, which is three years overdue, early next year.
Labor’s Kate Washington responded that “it sounds like somebody told the truth and then they realised the truth didn’t sound very good”.
Guardian Australia reported on Saturday the government had dropped its commitment to a standalone clean air strategy for the state and would instead absorb air pollution into other policies, including its zero emissions targets.
The story prompted anger from communities affected by air pollution, such as the Hunter Valley, as well as organisations that have spent four years contributing to the development of the plan.
The NSW government held a clean air summit in 2017 and promised to announce a statewide framework to reduce toxic air and the health problems it causes later that year.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority presented a draft proposal to the minister in May 2019 but it has never been released.
In response to questions last week, a spokesman from Kean’s office said: “Rather than releasing a standalone plan for clean air, the NSW government is integrating air quality as a key component of other strategic priorities.”
The statement said the government would instead factor air pollution into policies including the state’s net zero emissions plan, the NSW electricity strategy and a plan for the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles.
“It’s certainly not the government’s position that we have shelved the policy as a standalone document,” Kean said on Tuesday.
“It’s not my intention. I fully intend to have a standalone strategy. There was a miscommunication from my team and I want to correct the record.
“We are absolutely committed to a standalone clean air strategy. There was a mix-up in my media team with regard to the statement that was issued.”
An estimated 3,000 deaths per year in Australia are due to urban air pollution.
Kean’s comments come as a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the hazardous air quality caused by the 2019-20 bushfire disaster and by drought gets under way, with hearings commencing on Wednesday.
He said the fires had highlighted the importance of clean air after the state experienced the worst air quality in its history, which had affected people’s health and everyday way of life.
“I think we need to do more work on making sure that people have the information they need in relation to bushfire smoke,” Kean said.
“For example, during bad bushfire seasons, it’s really important for people to be able to plan when to go and do exercise outdoors and have accurate and timely information.”
He said he wanted to explore if there were better technology options available to make this easier for communities, especially those most affected by air pollution.
“We also need to make sure the clean air plan integrates with other government policies, like the electricity strategy,” he said.
“To this end, I intend to do further consultation on clean air initiatives, especially regarding bushfire smoke, this year with a view to publishing the finalised plan early next year.”
Labor’s environment spokeswoman, Kate Washington, expressed doubt about the minister’s explanation.
“I would say the statement was unequivocal and then the minister has realised the communities affected by air pollution feel betrayed,” she said.
“This is a backflip on a backflip.
“It’s embarrassing that he didn’t like a story and realised maybe he actually has to come out with a plan.”
Washington said the government should make its proposal publicly available soon, instead of waiting until 2021.
“If it was the intention to do a standalone plan, it has been sitting on his desk for 12 months now and he should release it as soon as possible,” she said.
