❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Health regarding asbestos in the Perth Children's Hospital roof panels, specifically the decision to repair rather than replace them. The Minister defends the decision, citing expert advice and experience in asbestos remediation.
AnsweredQoN 550Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL —
ASBESTOS MATERIALS
550. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the asbestos in the roof
panels at the new Perth Children's Hospital and the minister's
decision to repair the panels rather than replace them.
(1) Is it the
case that there is still a dispute over the removal of the panels and still a risk
of residual asbestos fibres being present after the remediation process?
(2) Can the minister
confirm that the remediation process is in fact an attempt by the construction
company to find the cheapest method of fixing the problem rather than the best
way to fix the problem, which is to replace the panels?
(3) Why has the
minister sided with the construction company on this issue, rather than the
taxpayers who paid for the hospital and the sick kids who will use it?
ASBESTOS MATERIALS
550. Mr R.H. COOK to the Minister for
Health:
I refer to the asbestos in the roof
panels at the new Perth Children's Hospital and the minister's
decision to repair the panels rather than replace them.
(1) Is it the
case that there is still a dispute over the removal of the panels and still a risk
of residual asbestos fibres being present after the remediation process?
(2) Can the minister
confirm that the remediation process is in fact an attempt by the construction
company to find the cheapest method of fixing the problem rather than the best
way to fix the problem, which is to replace the panels?
(3) Why has the
minister sided with the construction company on this issue, rather than the
taxpayers who paid for the hospital and the sick kids who will use it?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) There
are two possible sources of advice to the government on asbestos that was
unfortunately identified as being contained within the sealed panels near the
roof of part of the Perth Children's Hospital. One approach would be to
take the opposition's advice on how to deal with the issue. The other
approach would be to take the advice of expert and experienced environmental
consultants on how best to deal with the issue in a safe and timely manner. We
will take the latter approach.
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : In the question, the member for Kwinana referred to it being my
decision. Obviously, the government needs to be comfortable with the approach
that will be taken. The government office with primary responsibility for
dealing with this issue is strategic projects in Treasury, but the health
department, and I as Minister for Health, also clearly have a very strong
interest.
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : Advice is being sought and I expect it will be taken, as I said,
of expert engineering and environmental consultants who are well respected and
experienced in dealing with asbestos removal issues. Asbestos removal and
replacement remediation has been underway —
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : Asbestos removal and remediation has been underway in Western Australia
for 30 years or so, at least. When we were in government previously and the
Premier was the Minister for Education, I recall there was quite an extensive
roof-replacement program in schools where they contained asbestos —
Mr
R.H. Cook interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : There is a lot of
experience in Western Australia about removing asbestos and making the
situation safe.
Mr
W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER: Member for Cannington!
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : That approach will be taken at the Perth —
Mr
W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Minister, quickly, through the Chair.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : That approach will be taken at the Perth Children's
Hospital. It has nothing to do with finding the cheapest solution. It is about
finding the safest, most suitable, most appropriate and—dare I say it—commonsense
solution.
are two possible sources of advice to the government on asbestos that was
unfortunately identified as being contained within the sealed panels near the
roof of part of the Perth Children's Hospital. One approach would be to
take the opposition's advice on how to deal with the issue. The other
approach would be to take the advice of expert and experienced environmental
consultants on how best to deal with the issue in a safe and timely manner. We
will take the latter approach.
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : In the question, the member for Kwinana referred to it being my
decision. Obviously, the government needs to be comfortable with the approach
that will be taken. The government office with primary responsibility for
dealing with this issue is strategic projects in Treasury, but the health
department, and I as Minister for Health, also clearly have a very strong
interest.
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : Advice is being sought and I expect it will be taken, as I said,
of expert engineering and environmental consultants who are well respected and
experienced in dealing with asbestos removal issues. Asbestos removal and
replacement remediation has been underway —
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : Asbestos removal and remediation has been underway in Western Australia
for 30 years or so, at least. When we were in government previously and the
Premier was the Minister for Education, I recall there was quite an extensive
roof-replacement program in schools where they contained asbestos —
Mr
R.H. Cook interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Kwinana.
Mr J.H.D. DAY : There is a lot of
experience in Western Australia about removing asbestos and making the
situation safe.
Mr
W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER: Member for Cannington!
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : That approach will be taken at the Perth —
Mr
W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Minister, quickly, through the Chair.
Mr
J.H.D. DAY : That approach will be taken at the Perth Children's
Hospital. It has nothing to do with finding the cheapest solution. It is about
finding the safest, most suitable, most appropriate and—dare I say it—commonsense
solution.
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