Senator COONAN —My question is directed to the Minister for the Environment. Australians are becoming increasingly concerned about the quality of air that they and their children are exposed to. In fact, air pollution has been rated as the No. 1 environmental concern of Australians. Can the minister inform the Senate of what steps the government has taken to address this vital issue?

Senator HILL —I thank the honourable senator for her very important question. As a Sydneysider, it is not surprising that she asked it.

Senator Carr —Why should you be surprised?

Senator HILL —I am explaining why I was not surprised. The recent State of the environment report, which I just released, said that on occasions the level of air pollution in Sydney approached that of New York and Tokyo. So it is therefore not surprising that Sydneysiders rate air pollution as the No. 1 environment issue that they face.

The good news is that the new government has kept another of its promises; that is, the promise to establish a major independent inquiry to examine solutions to combat urban air pollution. The national inquiry will be conducted by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering with the aim of exploring innovative and practical solutions to urban air pollution problems. I am pleased with the enthusiasm with which the academy has taken up this challenge. In fact, the academy advises me that even before the inquiry had been publicly announced they were already receiving offers of assistance from fellows of that academy.

There have been previous inquiries and reports into the causes and extent of air pollution. The difference with the new inquiry is that it is designed to avoid simply going over that old ground. Its terms of reference focus on identifying practical measures that can be taken by governments, industry, community groups and individuals to improve air quality in Australian towns and cities in the medium to long term.

The academy has the scientific and technical expertise required to make the assessment and to propose those practical solutions. It has a worldwide reputation for scientific excellence. Under its direction, the inquiry will address the capacity of existing policies and strategies to reduce air pollution. The inquiry will complement the work of the National Environment Protection Council, which is developing a national environment protection measure for ambient air quality.

The report is expected to be received in about 12 months; it is a one-year project. I am confident that out of it will come practical ideas to improve the air quality in our urban environment, particularly in those major cities that have been suffering so badly on occasions in the past.