❓ Question regarding the discovery of asbestos at the Perth Children's Hospital, actions taken, and assurances for public safety. The Minister confirms a whole-of-government response and commitment to replacing asbestos-containing materials.
AnsweredQoN 682Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL —
ASBESTOS MATERIALS
682. Hon KATE DOUST to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the recent discovery of
asbestos products used in the construction of the new Perth Children's
Hospital.
(1) What
directions did the minister issue to either Worksafe, the Building Commission
or the principal contractor after the initial discovery of asbestos products
was made?
(2) Will the
minister table the investigation undertaken by the principal contractor and
Worksafe after the initial discovery of asbestos products was made?
(3) Is the
minister aware of the failure of the principal contractor to comply with the
law and allow union officials to exercise their lawful entitlement to investigate
suspected contraventions?
(4) How was the
asbestos on site handled after it was discovered and where is the debris
located now?
(5) Can the
government assure the Western Australian community that all roof panels
containing asbestos material will be replaced?
ASBESTOS MATERIALS
682. Hon KATE DOUST to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the recent discovery of
asbestos products used in the construction of the new Perth Children's
Hospital.
(1) What
directions did the minister issue to either Worksafe, the Building Commission
or the principal contractor after the initial discovery of asbestos products
was made?
(2) Will the
minister table the investigation undertaken by the principal contractor and
Worksafe after the initial discovery of asbestos products was made?
(3) Is the
minister aware of the failure of the principal contractor to comply with the
law and allow union officials to exercise their lawful entitlement to investigate
suspected contraventions?
(4) How was the
asbestos on site handled after it was discovered and where is the debris
located now?
(5) Can the
government assure the Western Australian community that all roof panels
containing asbestos material will be replaced?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) As soon as my
office became aware of these issues I ensured my respective departments were
engaged. A whole-of-government response was taken to the discovery of asbestos
at the new Perth Children's Hospital. WorkSafe and the Building
Commission both exercised their statutory functions as part of this response.
(2) The Building
Commission is leading a compliance audit and will shortly publish an interim
report into the discovery of asbestos, incorporating the actions of WorkSafe
and the principal contractor.
(3) I am aware of this allegation. The matter falls within
the jurisdiction of the commonwealth.
(4) This will be covered in the Building Commission report.
(5) Yes.
(1) As soon as my
office became aware of these issues I ensured my respective departments were
engaged. A whole-of-government response was taken to the discovery of asbestos
at the new Perth Children's Hospital. WorkSafe and the Building
Commission both exercised their statutory functions as part of this response.
(2) The Building
Commission is leading a compliance audit and will shortly publish an interim
report into the discovery of asbestos, incorporating the actions of WorkSafe
and the principal contractor.
(3) I am aware of this allegation. The matter falls within
the jurisdiction of the commonwealth.
(4) This will be covered in the Building Commission report.
(5) Yes.
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