Page 324 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2010
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MS BRESNAN: I have a supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Has the government developed relevant standards for pollution levels or other alternative measures which allow monitoring and enforcement of air pollution levels at future Summernats events?
MR CORBELL: Monitoring of air pollution is done consistent with national standards.
Home insulation program
MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, in your absence from the Ross Solly program on ABC radio this morning concerning the home insulation issue, Minister Barr, when pressed, revealed—and I quote:
I understand that there are some further judicial processes in relation to a couple of fires that may or may not have been linked to insulation.
Minister, could you please outline to the Assembly what judicial or other inquiry is underway concerning the aforementioned house fires, by whom the referral was made and what prompted the referral?
MR CORBELL: As Mr Coe should know, all fires that may be considered suspicious in the ACT are referred to the coroner as a result of the Coroners Act. The coroner has jurisdiction over fires in the territory. The ACT Fire Brigade has a process for reporting all fires that it attends to the coroner for the coroner’s information. It is then for the coroner to decide whether or not to investigate those matters. In relation to the fires that Mr Coe refers to, the coroner has decided, on receipt of the routine report he receives from the Fire Brigade, to investigate those fires, and that coronial process is underway. As to how that will be conducted and the matters that will be considered, that is entirely a matter for the coroner.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary?
MR COE: Minister, when was this matter referred and, upon referral, what information was supplied to the public about these concerns?
MR CORBELL: As I just said, the matter was not referred to the coroner. The coroner decides whether or not to investigate these issues. As I indicated previously, just to reiterate it to Mr Coe, because he clearly did not listen to my answer, there is a regular reporting process. All fires attended by the ACT Fire Brigade are reported to the coroner. The coroner then makes a decision as to whether or not there is a requirement for him or her to inquire into those matters. In these circumstances, the coroner has decided that he will inquire further into this matter.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary question?
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