Page 2713 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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the Assembly the evidence it has of fatalities or health problems arising out of asbestos sheeting?
MRS GRASSBY: Whether it is true or not I cannot say. Unfortunately, problems with asbestos do not show up sometimes for 20 years. I am not prepared to put workers in a situation where in 20 years' time they could be dying from mesothelioma, which is a disease that comes from exposure to asbestos. That is the reason why we are still requiring that when asbestos is being removed a licensed asbestos remover be on hand so that it can be removed with care. This involves keeping the asbestos wet at all times, putting it in bags, and so on.
MR HUMPHRIES: I ask a supplementary question. Do I take it from that answer that the Government has no evidence of any harmful effect flowing from asbestos sheeting, as opposed to other forms of asbestos?
MRS GRASSBY: As I said, I do not have that information, but even so, for 20 - - -
Mr Humphries: Will you get it?
MRS GRASSBY: I will get you information, but we probably will still not change the rules as 20 years down the track we could have somebody suffering from the disease because we did not take the precautions. I am not prepared to take that sort of risk with anybody's life.
ACT Bush Fire Council
MRS NOLAN: My question also is directed to the Minister for Housing and Urban Services. When does she intend to announce the membership of the ACT Bush Fire Council?
MRS GRASSBY: It will be announced in the coming weeks. We have just had the submission in, and it is going before Cabinet. It will be announced after that.
Interstate Car Thefts
MR JENSEN: My question is directed to the Chief Minister who, in a reply to my question which I put on notice on 26 July, to which I have only recently received the answer, indicated that the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General has the issue of interstate car thefts on its agenda. As the problem of interstate car thefts is of considerable concern to many interested bodies, including many residents of the ACT, can the Chief Minister advise this Assembly of the time frame in which the issue will be examined and recommendations will be made?
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