Page 5048 - Week 13 - Thursday, 12 November 2009

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


1 Is a diversified fund comprising cash, short-term notes such as bank bills, floating rate notes (mainly asset backed securities) and fixed rate notes (bonds).

2 Includes $312,683 being Superannuation Provision Account investments.

Health—asbestos
(Question No 380)

Ms Le Couteur asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 15 October 2009:

(1) Which ACT agencies are involved in managing asbestos in residential and non-residential buildings.

(2) Are there agencies other than the Office of Regulatory Services involved in managing asbestos; if so, (a) what are all their roles and (b) is there a lead agency.

(3) What process is followed by the Office of Regulatory Services/Work Cover when a resident contacts it and reports the presence of asbestos at an ACT residential property.

(4) What process is followed by the ACT Planning and Land Authority when a resident contacts it and reports the presence of asbestos at an ACT residential property.

(5) Is it a practice of any of these agencies to require the person reporting the asbestos to have the property tested at their own expense before the agency acts and has this ever been a requirement; if so, is this money refunded.

(6) What action has been undertaken in relation to asbestos at demolished properties in Rankin Street, Campbell, in the last year.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The Chief Minister’s Department, ACT Planning and Land Authority, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, ACT Health and the Department of Territory and Municipal Services.

(2) Yes. (a) ACTPLA is responsible for licensing of asbestos assessors and removalists and for approving works involving removal of asbestos where the quantity to be removed exceeds 10m2. ACT Health is responsible for advice and information relating to risks to people’s health from exposure to asbestos and action that persons who might have been exposed to asbestos should take. TAMS are responsible for issues relating to the environment and for waste management. (b) There is no formalised lead agency, however ORS will generally lead and co-opt other areas based on the circumstances of the case and specific expertise that might be required.

(3) The usual practice is for the ORS to record the details of the report and for the job to be prioritized in the work program. An Inspector will usually inspect the reported premises and, where warranted, arrange for analysis of material samples. If the samples are proven to be asbestos then ORS will work with the property owner to ensure that the asbestos is removed in accordance with relevant legislation and other guidelines.

Typically there are two types of asbestos found in existing buildings built before 1990, (asbestos was progressively banned from use in new construction during the


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video