Page 1934 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 5 August 2014
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Mr Hanson, Senators Lundy and Seselja, Ms Brodtmann and Dr Leigh to present a united front in calling on the commonwealth to continue to assist us to fix this problem once and for all.
I also acknowledge the dedication and advocacy on behalf of the affected families by Ms Brianna Heseltine—who joins with us today along with many other home owners—the convener of the Fluffy Owners and Residents Action Group and to the many, many brave families who have publicly shared their own stories.
To all the families whose homes are affected by loose-fill asbestos insulation, I am acutely aware of the distress and the upheaval this issue has created. I want each person to know that the ACT government is listening; we are working to provide short-term assistance and we are committed to providing an enduring solution.
In 2014 it is very clear that the commonwealth designed program which attempted the original removal of Mr Fluffy asbestos did not work as it was intended. Twenty years on, some families have pure, raw asbestos fibres inside their homes, in their linen presses, in their wardrobes, on their fridges, in their heating ducts, on their pillows and carpets and even on their children’s teddy bears. We cannot get this wrong again, and it is time for the ACT government and the commonwealth government to join forces to provide an enduring solution to this problem.
I thank members for the opportunity to provide this update this morning. I look forward to providing more information for the Assembly as it comes to hand, and I present the following paper:
Loose-fill asbestos insulation—Ministerial statement, 5 August 2014.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
MR HANSON (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (10.43): Thank you, Chief Minister, for the update on the progress so far. I would like to welcome to the Assembly the members of the community who are experiencing this human tragedy and are here today to hear the update from the Chief Minister.
This issue has been compared to a natural disaster, and in many ways it is comparable. I welcome the fact that all members here in this Assembly are working together to make sure that there is a long-term solution, a permanent solution, to this issue, which has been plaguing this community for so long. I welcome the fact that we are working together and also that we are working with our federal colleagues, both the Canberra representatives in federal parliament and Senator Abetz. The Chief Minister has had meetings with Senator Abetz; I have also spoken to him and have written to him to express my view that the federal government needs to take a substantive role and responsibility in providing a permanent solution for the affected families dealing with Mr Fluffy issues.
I think all of us can put ourselves in the shoes of those who have been affected. Many of us own homes from a similar era; many of us know personally members of our
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