Page 220 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 May 1989
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misquoting or a misprint? Given the Government's view that asbestos does pose a health risk, what steps will the Government take to correct the impression given to the Canberra public now in two publications that there is no such threat?
MRS GRASSBY: The point is that it is correct. I am sure that if the member had gone with Mr Stefaniak he would have found that out. If it is not disturbed in any way and is left there, there is no health risk. Unfortunately, people have things done to their houses, particularly in roofs. There was one case in Canberra where a child had a cubby house in the roof and the whole roof was full of asbestos. I was told this, and it was quite frightening.
If it were my child I would be worried because it can take 15 to 20 years before you know that the disease is there. People who do not know that they have asbestos have work done in their houses and, before they know it, it has been moved around. This is where the danger is.
I believe that, for the peace of mind of everybody in Canberra, if they have asbestos in their roofs it should be removed. As we have decided to go ahead and do this, I think the people in Canberra will be very happy that they live in houses without asbestos.
There was an article in the "Canberra Times" when the decision was first made to remove it. In fact I understand the article was part of the Commonwealth's agreeing to become involved. It said the most horrifying thing was for a person to go along and be told that there is asbestos in the roof. I have been told that people collapsed when they were told. The department therefore had to employ staff who could handle people who had traumas about it because their great fear was whether they have had work done which may have disturbed this asbestos that may be affecting their children or them.
So I think the statement is correct: if it is never disturbed there is no fear, but if it is in a house it could be disturbed at any time. It could be disturbed with a slight shake of the earth. They have just had one in the middle of Australia; there is no reason why we could not have one here. That is why every part of the house - I am sure that if the member had gone with Mr Stefaniak he would have seen that - and every single crack is sealed before the asbestos is ever touched.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
MR KAINE: I address a question to the Chief Minister further to the one that Mr Duby asked about the equality of representation of women on boards and the like. The Chief Minister will get no argument from the Liberal Party - certainly not from me - if her objective is to have these
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