Page 723 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 1990
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acknowledged that asbestos was of considerable danger to the lives of people who came in contact with it at any stage.
Mr Berry: By a Labor Government.
MR JENSEN: It is shameful that the Labor Government has seen fit to abrogate its responsibilities in relation to the cost of the removal of asbestos from homes in the ACT. It is shameful and it is sheer hypocrisy for Mr Berry and Mrs Grassby and others, to stand up there today and say that it is not so. The Federal Government should take the responsibility for this role and put back into the fiscus of the ACT the $38m that is so importantly required to add to the $22.7m that was taken from the people of the ACT by the Labor Government during the discussion at the Premiers Conference that Mr Berry referred to. It is important that we just reflect on that particular issue. It was the Premiers Conference that we referred to where money was taken from the people of the ACT. And what do we find? Not only is money being taken, but we are also given this incredible bill. I think it is shameful on the part of the Federal Labor Government. I think those members of the Federal Labor Government who are seeking re-election this Saturday should hang their heads in shame and they should not be game to come out and face the people of the ACT.
MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services) (12.11): Mr Speaker, it has been very gratifying to hear the speeches from Mrs Nolan and the Chief Minister himself and, of course, from Mr Jensen on this matter. There is no question about the fact - - -
Mr Wood: You can forget about Bill, can you?
Mr Moore: Bill's speech does not matter; forget about that.
MR DUBY: And Mr Stefaniak, too. I am sorry.
Mr Berry: The Chief Minister, too; you had better mention him.
MR DUBY: I said him, himself.
Mr Moore: Him, himself!
MR DUBY: Yes.
Mrs Grassby: You should genuflect when you say that.
Mr Kaine: Twice.
MR DUBY: Mr Speaker, there is no question about the fact that this is an enormous public health problem for the ACT, and I think it has been amply borne out by previous speakers that it is not a matter that is of the ACT's making. Indeed, as Mr Jensen pointed out, the asbestos was
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