Inquiry into potential Vic cancer cluster

A possible cancer cluster on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula will be examined by a federal parliamentary inquiry.

In December 2018, media reported a potential cluster of cancers particularly around the coastal town of Barwon Heads, noting historical use of an agricultural pesticide called Dieldrin.

Liberal, Labor and Greens senators backed a motion referring the possible cluster to the Senate's community affairs committee on Thursday.

Up to six young people died of cancer in recent years, with one family telling The Age earlier in the year they knew of another 20 people aged in their 20s diagnosed with the disease.

The Victorian health department conducted a review and found no evidence of higher rates of cancer.

The state's acting chief health officer found no unusual excess of cancers thought to be associated with Dieldrin.