Page 3825 - Week 12 - Thursday, 30 October 2014
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Obviously events have moved very quickly in the past few days and I think it is important to place on the record where things are up to today. I also recognise the home owners and affected residents who have come in to the Assembly today. We are very conscious that this week has been extremely tough for all of you, as have indeed the past months.
I hope that as more information has followed Tuesday’s announcement you have had the chance to look more closely at the framework for the proposed buyback program and what it may mean for you. I accept that while some people are happy and relieved, some remain very anxious and others remain angry.
Throughout the course of the past few months, as the government has refined our response to the task force report into Mr Fluffy homes, we have been very conscious of the distinct and different views of the families, owners, tenants and residents of the 1,021 homes, including those who want to go, those who want to stay and rebuild and those who want to stay in their home as it is.
We have sought to accommodate these wishes, which are very strongly held, in the framework which we have now made public. But it is impossible to ensure everyone’s wishes and circumstances are dealt with entirely. Today we are sending more information to home owners about the proposed buyback and demolition scheme and soon we will be able to announce public meetings where questions can be asked and answered.
I want to be clear on how the government’s decisions have been informed. Our state of knowledge has grown rapidly since February this year when the Work Safety Commissioner wrote to affected home owners. The advice of the task force report, contributed to by leading experts from around Australia, is unequivocal that the 1,021 homes affected by the Mr Fluffy legacy cannot be made safe. Our only option, however distressing, dislocating, difficult and costly, is to act to demolish and dispose of these homes.
This position is confirmed by the 600-odd assessments which have been conducted this year, the unavoidable facts that they have presented and that we have had to face up to. We make this decision with home owners in the front of our minds as we seek to provide an outcome that is fair and reasonable. We also have the future of the city in our minds. It is in all of Canberra’s interests to get rid of this 50-year legacy.
I am very disappointed that we will receive no contribution to the net cost of this program from the commonwealth, particularly as they are so deeply entwined in the history of this issue. But with the circumstances we have found ourselves in, the government has made the decision to act comprehensively and expeditiously with the program we have announced. We believe it is the right decision. We have sought to balance fairness for home owners with a scheme which the ACT community can afford.
The buyback offer will be at an independently determined market rate, as if no loose-fill asbestos was present. It will allow repurchase of an equivalent Mr-Fluffy-free
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