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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Tuesday, 25 May 2004) . . Page.. 2220 ..

(3) If these workplaces do not comply with the Improvement Notices they have been issued with, what are the next steps to be taken by A.C.T. Workcover.

Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The industries in which Improvement Notices were issued are as follows:

(2) When an inspector issues an improvement notice, section 76(2)(b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989 requires the inspector to “specify a period, being a period that is, in the inspector’s opinion reasonable, within which the responsible person is to rectify the matters or activities to which the notice relates.” Inspectors have regard to the nature of the particular hazard in determining a reasonable period.

If the responsible person is unable to comply with the notice within the specified period, they may seek an extension of time. Under section 76(7) of the Act, an inspector may extend the period for compliance with the notice. Inspectors will grant extensions if satisfied there are good reasons to do so. If there is no request for an extension, the inspector contacts the responsible person on the date specified in the notice to ensure that the notice has been complied with.

(3) Failure to comply with an improvement notice is an offence under section 79 of the Act. If the responsible person does not comply with an improvement notice, then the inspector may refer the matter for prosecution.

Emergency services—communications
(Question No 1435)

Mr Pratt asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, upon notice, on 31 March 2004:

(1) What is the title of the unit to look after communications and media at the Emergency Services Authority Bureau (ESAB);

(2) How many people are employed to work as (a) media advisors and (b) specialist communications strategists within the ESAB;

(3) If a communications strategist has been hired, what qualifications does that person have to fulfil that role;

(4) How many people in total make up the Communications/Media unit in the ESAB;

(5) What new devices have been installed within the Communications/Media Unit at the ESAB since the events of 18 January that assist in disseminating information more rapidly;

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