Page 5597 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 9 December 2009
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specific ACT legislation. I also note Mr Barr’s comments about the extent of the legislation that all schools are governed by, and I applaud the initiatives that have been taken to date. Back to the manual that I was referring to, there is a section on accommodation and facilities which refers to health and safety issues but is not specific about chemicals. The manual dictates that a file holding copies of every material safety data sheet, MSDS, is kept in a location that is accessible for emergency services, fire brigade and police. An MSDS is a document containing important information about a hazardous chemical, which may be a hazardous substance and/or dangerous good, and must state the hazardous substance’s product name, the chemical and generic name of certain ingredients, the chemical and physical properties of the hazardous substance, health hazard information, precautions for safe use and handling and the manufacturer’s or importer’s name, Australian address and telephone number.
Depending on the hazardous rating, some chemicals are also required to be stored in a ventilated, inflammable cabinet, and, of course, secondary schools have some chemicals of a toxic nature that need to be kept in a ventilated chemical store that has restricted access. It is appropriate that Ms Hunter’s motion, calling on the minister to commit to a statement of requirements of school cleaning contracts and that procurement and purchasing practices for all new and existing ACT school buildings should include cleaning products and building finishes that minimise the environmental health impacts on children and young people in accordance with international best practice models, be adopted. Accordingly, we support Ms Hunter’s amended motion.
Motion agreed to.
Financial Management (Budget Review) Amendment Bill 2009
Debate resumed from 18 November 2009, on motion by Mr Smyth:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Gaming and Racing) (5:33): As I understand this bill, it relates to when in the process the government would present its response or its midyear budget update. And as I understand the legislation, Mr Smyth is seeking to mandate when that should be. Now that the Treasurer has arrived, I will sit down and let her complete the government response.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations) (5:35): The previous motion did wind up a little earlier than I had expected and I thank Mr Barr very much for covering for me. The government will be opposing the Financial Management (Budget Review) Amendment Bill 2009 presented by Mr Smyth. The government remains firmly committed to the provision of open and transparent financial reporting and other associated information to the Assembly and to the community.
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