Page 360 - Week 03 - Thursday, 1 June 1989

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ASBESTOS SURVEY

MR WOOD: I direct a question to the Minister for Housing and Urban Services, who has already taken a number of questions this week on asbestos. I raise that issue again. In view of reports in the paper today, which would indicate that there remains considerable confusion in some people's minds - or the report sows a seed of doubt in the minds of people in the community - about the accuracy in this specific instance of the survey, can she comment on that?

MRS GRASSBY: I read that article in the paper about a lady in Red Hill, and I checked it out this morning. The lady had a green card which says that she does not have asbestos in her ceiling, but she apparently had her ceiling checked and a product called rock wool was mistaken for asbestos. She was sure that she had asbestos. Officers of my department went out early this morning and checked it. They gave her another green card and assured her that it was not asbestos. We have plenty of it, and if she really wanted some we could probably give her some.

BUSHFIRE FIGHTERS

MR KAINE: My question is directed to the Chief Minister and Attorney-General. I refer her to the fact that all States and Territories in Australia, except the Australian Capital Territory, have legislation providing indemnity cover for bushfire fighters should legal action arise from their work in bushfire suppression. Since the volunteer bushfire brigade in Canberra plays such a major role in protecting the public, often at considerable sacrifice to the private lives of its members, will the Government review the current legislation with a view to rectifying this deficiency?

MS FOLLETT: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I have no information currently on that matter, so my answer is: Yes, I will review the situation and advise him as soon as I can.

HERBICIDES

MS MAHER: Mr Speaker, I ask the Minister for Housing and Urban Services a question on your behalf. Will the Minister advise on the spraying of herbicides for the purpose of weed control along the edges of roads and nature strips? Apparently a pink dye is added to the herbicide to indicate the area sprayed. However, it is quite obvious to all members of the public that these toxins appear to be applied overzealously. Can the Minister advise on just what these toxins are, the life of the toxicity of the chemicals, and whether any research has been done as to the level of pollution to our streams by these chemicals during


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