Page 3627 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 13 September 2017

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around the country. It was just last week, indeed, that New South Wales Health identified the Queanbeyan hospital as potentially having this cladding as well. So ACT Health has in fact been very proactive.

They are undertaking the methodical work that they need to do now to assess where they need to replace that cladding and how much they need to order. They are undergoing a statement of requirements before—

Ms Lawder: Point of order—

MADAM SPEAKER: Resume your seat. Point of order, Ms Lawder.

Ms Lawder: Madam Speaker, as to relevance. The question related specifically about whether there would be an additional delay on when the order is being placed.

MADAM SPEAKER: I do not believe there is a point of order. I think the minister said, “Not that she was aware of,” and she is providing some further details in the answer. Have you concluded?

Ms Fitzharris: Yes.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, how long are you prepared to leave the women and children in the Centenary hospital exposed to the risks from this dangerous cladding?

MS FITZHARRIS: Frankly, that is a ridiculous question. As I have said and as I have been advised by consultants, by infrastructure experts at ACT Health and by ACT Fire & Rescue, the Centenary hospital is safe. I am simply not exposing women and children to harm, and I frankly think it is utterly irresponsible of the opposition to continue this line that somehow people are not safe. People are safe.

Mrs Dunne interjecting

MS FITZHARRIS: If Mrs Dunne is an expert in fire-related matters, then I welcome her expert advice. But I have expert advice, and that expert advice has advised me, as I have said previously, that it would be irresponsible to remove those panels immediately. There may be further risk to the building from, for example, its watertightness in a storm event or a rain event. There may be an issue with voiding building warranties if we remove the panels. It may also reduce the operational efficiency of the building if those panels are removed before replacement panels are available. The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children is a safe, modern building.

Litter—leaflets

MS LE COUTEUR: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services and relates to leaflets left on windscreens. Minister, it has come to our attention that someone is leaving leaflets about voting no on the postal survey on cars parked at Jamison centre. These leaflets are factually incorrect and misleading. What enforcement can be done under the Litter Act 2004 to prevent this from happening?


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