Page 855 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 1990
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MR MOORE: It is a copy of the letter to you.
Legionnaire's Disease
MRS NOLAN: My question is to Mr Humphries, this time in his capacity as Minister for Health. Is the Minister aware of some three cases of legionnaire's disease occurring in Canberra residents since Christmas? If so, what action has been taken to determine the cause of these cases and what procedures exist to prevent outbreaks and to find the cause of any such outbreaks.
MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Mrs Nolan for her question. Yes, I am aware of the three cases of legionnaire's disease to which she refers. Officers from the public health area of my Department of Health have carried out extensive inquiries to determine a possible common cause. Although the three residents appear to have nothing in common in Canberra, it is the case that each visited Batemans Bay over the period in question, that is, the period since Christmas.
There has been extensive collaboration and cooperation between my Department of Health and the New South Wales Department of Health and samples have been taken from buildings in the area of Batemans Bay. We expect the results of those tests to be known fairly soon.
With regard to the prevention of legionnaire's disease in the ACT, operators of buildings with airconditioning units and cooling towers have been advised to adhere to the Australian standard AS 3666 and the National Health and Medical Research Council's publication entitled: "Legionnaire's Disease - A Guide for Building Owners". In addition, my department has in place an action plan for the control and investigation of any cases of legionnaire's disease that might occur.
Teachers - Wages
MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, I direct a question to the Chief Minister in his capacity of Treasurer and also Minister for the public service. In negotiations that have taken place so far, what is the ACT Government's position with respect to the wage increase case being argued by the ACT Teachers Federation.
MR KAINE: Mr Speaker, that question does not fall into my area of responsibility. We have a Minister for Health and a Minister for industrial relations and I think he should address the question to the appropriate Minister.
MR WOOD: I think it is a significant budget matter.
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