Page 3834 - Week 12 - Thursday, 30 October 2014
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While each emergency event is unique, Canberra Connect has a well-practised set of preparations that is built off strong, ongoing collaboration and early pre-warning conversations between Canberra Connect and the emergency services arms of government such as ACT Policing and the State Emergency Service, as well as the communication teams across ACT government. Canberra Connect also has close working relationships with the operational arms that support community recovery, such as ACTION, Roads ACT, City Services, ActewAGL and the Community Services Directorate.
And while not all emergencies allow for forewarning, Canberra Connect has a reputation for responsiveness and customer care. For example, the Australia Day storms of 2013 saw Canberra Connect staff back at work taking calls within 15 minutes notice. Staff genuinely enjoy being able to help the community. At times they even help resolve personal emergencies, like the mum who called to say that her daughter dropped her car keys down a grate in Turner, where the keys were found and returned, or the lady who last week rang terrified of a snake in her laundry, where rangers came out to retrieve the snake.
Emergency response capability is an essential responsibility of government. I am pleased to have shared with the Assembly today the existing capability of Canberra Connect, as well as recent enhancements, which will assist the Canberra community at times of need.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Dangerous Substances (Asbestos Safety Reform) Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
Ms Gallagher, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Health, Minister for Higher Education and Minister for Regional Development) (10.43): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
The Dangerous Substances (Asbestos Safety Reform) Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 and complementary Work Health and Safety (Asbestos) Amendment Regulation 2014 form a legislative package which together adopt the national model regulations on asbestos and strengthen asbestos safety management in the territory. The regulatory impact statement used to inform the development of the national model regulations estimated that by 2020 there will be 40,000 diagnosed cases of asbestos-related lung cancer in Australia and an additional 13,000 Australians will have developed mesothelioma.
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