Page 1528 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 27 September 1989
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MR JENSEN: I have a supplementary question. In view of the fact that the report was due by August, could the Minister undertake to advise why we have not yet received the report?
MRS GRASSBY: I will find that out and let the member know.
ACT Ambulance Service
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Deputy Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Community Services and Health. Will the Minister confirm that on 31 August this year only three ambulance crews were on duty for approximately half that day; that on 8 September for a period of about 14 hours only three crews were on duty; that on 10 September from 6.00 pm until 8.00 am the following day only three ambulance crews were on duty; and that on 15 September from 12.30 pm until 6.00 pm only two ambulance crews were on duty for the whole of the ACT? If this is true, and I have it on good authority that it is, does the Minister consider that there being as few as two crews on duty at particular periods in the ACT is satisfactory?
MR BERRY: In relation to the last part of the question, there is at times, as you would appreciate, depending on the incidence of emergencies, the necessity for some of the ambulance crews to be away from their stations and, because of their involvement in those emergencies, only two might be freely available to respond in those sorts of circumstances.
In response to the question about whether there should be only two ambulances available in the ACT at any one time, that in my view is not acceptable, but I can say to you that my department is currently developing a position paper prior to a review of the ACT ambulance service and its deployment of personnel. This review, of course, has implications for the service's staffing numbers. The review will involve full consultation with the workers and, of course, their unions. It is anticipated that that review will be finalised by December of 1989. I think that by then we should have resolved any questions about the need for further ambulance staff and the arrangements by which we can achieve that where it is necessary.
Asbestos Removal
MR STEVENSON: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Urban Services and it concerns asbestos removal. There are two points: firstly, people with asbestos in their homes cannot renovate until it is removed; and, secondly, they are severely disadvantaged if they try to sell their properties. Would the Minister be good enough to inform the Assembly when asbestos removal will begin. I believe
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