Page 4329 - Week 13 - Thursday, 4 December 2014
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We have also made an amendment to the work health and safety regulations to specify that construction work will be classified as a construction project if the work involves the demolition or refurbishment of a structure containing loose-fill asbestos insulation. This amendment means that the demolition of a loose-fill contaminated house will trigger principal contractor obligations under the WHS laws and lead to stricter safety systems being in place during the work.
To further enhance safety, an amendment has been made to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, allowing the territory to develop and adopt a code of practice for our largely unique situation on the demolition of loose-fill asbestos houses. I am also aware that the work safety regulator, WorkSafe ACT, has a dedicated asbestos safety team put in place and will be proactive in its safety oversight of the demolition program. As this is the case, I am very confident that the demolition of these houses can be done safely in relation to those conducting the demolitions, those who transport the contaminated materials to their final destination and the rest of the community.
Given the stressful and upsetting time that many Canberra residents are experiencing, I would finally like to note the work that is being done by the Community Services Directorate in conjunction with the asbestos task force to provide support and assistance to the affected residents. It is important that we manage and deal with all facets of the crisis, including mental health issues.
I commend the bill to the Assembly.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra) (11.07): I just want to talk briefly about this bill and this legacy of loose-fill asbestos. The recommendations in the report, following the Standing Committee on Public Accounts inquiry, talk about the scheme being necessary to ensure that the legacy of potentially deadly loose-fill asbestos that has plagued Canberra since the early 1960s is extinguished.
It is important to remember the history of this and where this came from. This started in 1968 and 1978, way before self-government in the ACT. It was the responsibility of the commonwealth at the time, and I believe that it was the commonwealth that should have continued to take responsibility for loose-fill asbestos in our homes. If there is anger in the community about loose-fill asbestos in our homes, I believe the blame should lie squarely at the feet of the commonwealth government; they should have done better by the Canberra community.
I acknowledge the work of the Chief Minister in the negotiations to get the $1 billion loan, but I do not believe it is enough. It is disappointing and I truly believe that the commonwealth government should have done what is morally right and what is morally just. I believe that is the only thing that they should have done. Instead, they turned their backs on the people of Canberra and particularly the people who are affected in homes that have Mr Fluffy asbestos.
I know that there will be people who will try to create fear and division in our community, and that is disappointing. Using words to imply that somehow the government is profiting from this, or that there will be dangerous asbestos dust flying around, is not helpful and it is not necessary.
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