Page 1000 - Week 03 - Thursday, 30 March 2006
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(1) What inspections were undertaken by officers of Workcover or any other ACT Government agency in relation to safety arrangements for circus performers appearing at Circus Oz in recent weeks in Canberra;
(2) Why were safety nets not in place to protect acrobatic or stunt performers appearing in performances of Circus Oz;
(3) Were inspections of the facility undertaken following the recent injuries that were endured by a performer at Circus Oz; if so, what were the findings of any such inspections; if not, why were they not undertaken;
(6) Will the Minister table any reports, correspondence, memoranda, emails or other documentation related to the incident in which a Circus Oz employee was injured;
(7) Is any further action contemplated in relation to the incident; if not, why not.
Ms Gallagher: I am advised by the Occupational Health and Safety Commissioner that the answer to Mr Mulcahy’s question is as follows:
(1) ACT WorkCover undertook no inspections at Circus Oz.
(2) Circus Oz uses foam crash mats rather than safety nets.
(3) Inspections of the facility were not undertaken. ACT WorkCover contacted Circus Oz to make enquires about the incident and was informed the equipment involved was dismantled within hours of the incident and inspected by an engineer and welder. Circus Oz reported the incident to the Victorian Workcover Authority on the first business day after the incident. Circus Oz headquarters are in Victoria. Circus Oz provided ACT WorkCover with an injury and dangerous occurrence report that identified the immediate remedial actions taken. Subsequent discussions between ACT WorkCover and Circus Oz confirmed the actions taken. See answer to (7) below.
(6) No
(7) No further action is proposed. The incident and the injury sustained were minor, no members of the public were endangered, the activity was not repeated, the workplace no longer exists and there was no reliable physical evidence to inspect as the equipment was dismantled within hours of the incident. ACT WorkCover is satisfied with the actions taken by Circus Oz administration after the incident. The Victorian Workcover Authority has advised it is satisfied with the remedial actions taken and will liaise with Circus Oz but does not intend to take compliance action.
Namadgi National Park—prescribed burning
(Question No 974)
Mr Pratt asked the Minister for the Environment, upon notice, on 8 March 2006:
(1) What is the current policy on prescribed burning within Namadgi National Park;
(2) What are the current acceptable bushfire fuel loads for ACT National Parks;
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