Page 5715 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 6 December 2011
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MR CORBELL: Following the Mitchell chemical fire earlier this year the site was under the jurisdiction of a number of agencies. It was under the jurisdiction of WorkSafe ACT insofar as the dangers posed by the site. It was under the jurisdiction of the EPA in relation to the contamination issues at the site. For a period of time it was also under the jurisdiction of the Fire Brigade because of issues at the site.
If there has been any access barred to the site following the fire, I think there is a pretty obvious explanation for that. The site was hazardous and there was only restricted access to the site following the fire. The site was at the risk of structural collapse following the fire. WorkSafe had put in place a prohibition notice that barred any entry into the building itself following the fire because of the structural damage caused and the risk of structural collapse.
Ms Bresnan has raised a particular circumstance. I would need to seek further advice from WorkSafe ACT in relation to that matter. I will take that part of the question on notice.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Bresnan, a supplementary.
MS BRESNAN: Minister, if it is the case that the territory’s own WorkSafe body and union representatives were denied entry to the significant accident site, will you commit to reviewing the right of entry provisions in ACT industrial relations laws and their implementation as a matter of priority to ensure they are clear and robust?
MR CORBELL: It is a hypothetical question at this time. We will need to ascertain exactly whether or not what Ms Bresnan says is correct. Once we have done that, we can proceed to the other matters she raises.
MS HUNTER: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Hunter.
MS HUNTER: Minister, can you confirm that in recent weeks, following safety concerns with cranes at the Cotter Dam construction site, the ACT’s Work Safety Commissioner was denied entry to the site by the site manager, meaning that the commissioner could not undertake essential safety investigations?
MR CORBELL: No such claims have been brought to my attention.
MS LE COUTEUR: A supplementary, Mr Speaker. Minister, can you confirm whether, following the collapse of the GDE bridge on 14 August—
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order members! Ms Le Couteur, start again, thank you.
MS LE COUTEUR: Certainly, Mr Speaker. Minister, can you confirm whether, following the collapse of the GDE bridge on 14 August 2010, both WorkSafe ACT
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