Page 2466 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 14 November 1989
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report to the Assembly is largely in the hands of Cabinet, so I am unable to give a specific date in respect of when the announcement will be made. I am hoping to be able to comply with my original position, which was to announce it by the end of November, although that time frame is looking a bit tight at this stage.
In relation to a replacement structure, that too is in the hands of Cabinet and the Government, and the announcement will incorporate a description of the structure to replace the interim board arrangement. Therefore, until such time as there is an announcement about what the structure will be, I think it would be inappropriate for me to speculate on the dates for what you suggest ought to be staff elections.
MR HUMPHRIES: I wish to ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. The Minister indicated earlier, I think, that he was prepared to consider having on the hospitals board staff or community representatives - I forget which he mentioned. Is the Minister saying that staff representatives are not likely to be on the new board? If there is at least a possibility that staff representatives will be on the new board, I repeat the question, which I submit is relevant: what is the latest date by which those staff elections can be held?
MR BERRY: All of the issues which Mr Humphries has raised really depend on the structure which is decided on by the Government to replace the interim board arrangement. Therefore, until an announcement is made in relation to the interim board arrangement, speculation by me adds nothing to the debate.
Asbestos Removal
MS MAHER: My question is directed to the Minister for Housing and Urban Services. Can she advise what is the total cost of the asbestos removal program to date to citizens of the ACT? Does this cost include the running of the branch, or is it merely the cost of physically removing the asbestos? What is the maximum amount so far spent on any one property? Can the Minister provide a breakdown of that cost?
MRS GRASSBY: I thank Ms Maher. Since the program was announced on 10 October 1988, almost $6m has been spent. This sum includes $1.7m on the survey, $2m on the sealing up of the affected houses, and $800,000 on reimbursements to home owners who had the asbestos removed privately. About $1m has been spent on developing removal techniques, procuring equipment for removal and undertaking removal. Air monitoring of affected houses has cost $400,000. As for the cost for one particular house, I cannot give you a breakdown of that at the moment, Ms Maher, but I will get back to you on that.
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