Page 281 - Week 01 - Thursday, 9 December 2004
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dedicated community sector industrial relations project officer, the government will begin the difficult task of addressing issues in the sector in active partnership with community organisations, peak councils and unions.
The ACT government is engaged in an important and sensitive process which began late in the last Assembly. In August an important debate was held in this chamber on the use of asbestos in residential, commercial and public settings and the potential risks that damaged or poorly maintained asbestos products can pose to trades people, home renovators, occupiers and owners and, in fact, the general public. The amendments to the Dangerous Substances Act 2004, ultimately passed by the Assembly, reflected the priority placed on these issues.
The proactive approach of the government and the Assembly is essentially about awareness, education and safety for the future. But we all should be well aware that this is groundbreaking legislation, posing very significant challenges in implementation, which are well recognised by industry and community and government.
A new ACT asbestos task force, with its wide representation of interest groups, is already working on these issues with the support of eminent experts in the field who are being engaged. The task force will be progressing as soon as possible with arrangements for a field survey and a community awareness program, and will be looking closely at the new provisions to ensure that they are workable and practical. I expect that there may well be some need to clarify the provisions to be consistent with the intent for graduated introduction provisions in parallel with community awareness and task force investigations.
The work of the ACT asbestos task force represents a very important long-term investment in community safety. It certainly deserves the ongoing support of this Assembly, as it is likely to have its greatest benefits to the community in years to come, as future generations deal with Canberra’s ageing building stock.
The ACT government has been re-elected on its merits and in recognition of our priorities. The majority of Canberrans believe that only this government can provide the effective representation and the services wanted by the Canberra community, and the leadership and responsibility necessary to see this community grow. As a minister in this government, I will work to ensure that the government remains in touch with the grassroots of the Canberra community and that we continue to implement sound policy which progressively works to restore dignity and a fair go to all Canberrans.
In all the portfolio areas I have outlined today, the government will continue to promote these values, which I believe the majority of Canberrans support. We will do so modestly, but we will stick by our agenda because we believe it to be right, and we believe our policies and programs will assist Canberra to continue to grow and develop and prosper into the future. I present the following paper:
Portfolio responsibilities—ministerial statement, 9 December 2004.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
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