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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (22 April) . . Page.. 1193 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

Preschool sandpit came to the Government's attention only because of the concerns of an observant parent. The chemicals coordination network is failing the Canberra community if it cannot set and monitor clear standards for public notification of the spraying of chemicals in preschools and schools.

I have only been able to touch on a few of the many concerns I have about the way the Government is managing the use of chemicals in pest control in the ACT. The spraying of the sandpit at Curtin Preschool shows that best practice pest control in ACT government facilities is not happening. It is clear from Mr Stefaniak's comments during question time in the Assembly on Tuesday that the Department of Education is still relying on outdated and inappropriate policies for the control of pests in preschools and schools. These policies are inconsistent with those recommended by the Commissioner for the Environment and do not address ongoing concerns about fragmentation of the management of pest control functions. Most importantly, they do not address major concerns about regulation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of chemical use for the control of pests in preschools, schools and other ACT government land and buildings.

After the discussion of this matter of public importance I was going to seek leave of the Assembly to move a motion which required the Minister for Urban Services to table in the next sitting week for the information of the Assembly all documents relating to Environment ACT's monitoring and regulation of pest, plant and animal control in ACT preschools and schools since the beginning of 1998 and a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Commissioner for the Environment entitled "An investigation into the ACT Government's use of chemicals for pest control". I have spoken with Mr Smyth about that and he has said that in his speech on this matter of public importance he will give a commitment to the Assembly that he will provide this information. I am happy to accept that and I will not put the motion because I do not think we need to spend the time if we do get that commitment from the Minister.

In regard to what we are asking for in terms of the documents relating to Environment ACT's monitoring and regulation of pest, plant and animal control, Mr Stefaniak assured the Assembly that things were in hand, that there was a good regulatory scheme in place and that there were records. That was the implication. I am asking for the records of how Environment ACT has been monitoring, regulating and doing those things which are required under the recommendations of the environment commissioner, or as much as they have done so far. Mr Smyth has offered me the opportunity of just going along and looking at the files, but I think I should still ask that we have that information tabled in the Assembly. I will take up Mr Smyth's offer of a further briefing and may visit the files later, if it seems that that would be useful. At this point, we just need to get on the record - it should not be difficult if this process has been well managed - just how asset managers are being advised, how the monitoring is occurring, when sites are visited, how it is determined that spraying should occur and so on. It is pretty clear what is required if it is well managed. I look forward to receiving that information.

MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (4.27): The Government has taken and continues to take full responsibility for ensuring best practice management of pest and weed control activities in the ACT. This matter of public importance has arisen in light of the report of the Commissioner for the Environment entitled "An investigation into the

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