Page 2877 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 22 November 1989
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Naturally, the size of the payments depends on the number of people currently being paid workers compensation, and the estimate of $2.2m for the year is a conservative amount, based on last year's expenditure and current trends. This estimate differs from the amount of the premium because the premium represents the amount determined by an actuary as necessary to fully fund the cost of all compensable work related injuries occurring during 1989-90. The level of the premium will be reviewed by COMCARE, based on actual claims made.
Bus Service
Mrs Grassby: On 21 November Mrs Nolan asked the following question:
What is the Government doing to ensure a bus service to the suburb of Greenway on the shores of Lake Tuggeranong to enable residents of that suburb access to the Government's social justice strategy on transport?
My answer to the member's question is as follows: the roads in this suburb which were planned by NCDC well before self-government were not designed for bus services. The roads were not constructed to standards to withstand a regular bus service. This together with the width of roads and small-radius turns makes it impractical to provide services. Public transport services are available in the adjacent suburbs of Oxley and Kambah.
Asbestos Removal
Mrs Grassby: Yesterday Mr Humphries and Mr Collaery asked questions relating to the health risks of asbestos sheeting. My answer to the members' questions is as follows: the evidence that health problems arise from the continued breathing of airborne asbestos fibre is well documented. There is a clear relation between breathing asbestos fibres and the resulting health problems, whether the fibres came from asbestos cement sheeting, loose asbestos or another asbestos source. I believe Australia has a significantly higher incidence of some asbestos related diseases than other countries where such products were not so widely used. The Government would be avoiding its responsibilities if it were not to recognise these sources of hazards within the building industry.
Asbestos cement sheeting may contain up to 20 per cent asbestos and in some very early roofing materials even up to 50 per cent asbestos. Usually, if left undisturbed, even when weathered, the fibres are not released into the atmosphere in dangerous quantities and have not been shown to cause problems. Asbestos fibres weathered from the surface of the sheeting are washed into roof gutters and accumulate there with other dust and debris. If removal is
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