Mr. Wyatt questions the Minister for Education about the implementation of an asbestos removal strategy agreed to in the School Education Act Employees’ General Agreement 2008. The Minister's response is evasive, failing to confirm the existence of a specific strategy.

AnsweredQoN 822Legislative Assembly
Asked
23 November 2011
Portfolio
Education

QuestionView source ↗

SCHOOL EDUCATION ACT EMPLOYEES’ (TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS) GENERAL AGREEMENT 2008 — ASBESTOS REMOVAL
I refer to clause 52.13 of the School Education Act Employees’ (Teachers and Administrators) General Agreement 2008, in which this government agreed to collaborate on — … an agreed strategy for the gradual removal of asbestos cement materials … from DET workplaces. (1) Has that strategy for removal been produced since the agreement was signed; and, if not, why not? (2) If the strategy has been produced, is it publicly available; and, if not, will the minister table the strategy—and, if not, why not? (3) Will the minister guarantee that an asbestos-removal strategy will form a part of the current agreement being negotiated with the teachers and administrators at the moment? Dr E. CONSTABLE

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(3) It is my understanding that asbestos-removal strategies are certainly determined by Building Management and Works, together with Education, so they obviously have to work together. However, I understand that Building Management and Works is the lead agency. The collaboration between the department and BMW is certainly strong at all times. Each school has a current report on asbestos in the school. If there is asbestos, for instance along veranda ways and so on, that is damaged in any way, it is immediately dealt with. The work is done under the auspices of Building Management and Works, and, as I understand it, it is the same for other government buildings. Asbestos is removed when necessary; it is not always necessary to remove it, and I — Mr B.S. Wyatt : But has there been a strategy? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I understand that the department and the union have a collaborative arrangement whereby they meet regularly to discuss matters such as this and other matters to do with schools and education.
(2) If the strategy has been produced, is it publicly available; and, if not, will the minister table the strategy—and, if not, why not? (3) Will the minister guarantee that an asbestos-removal strategy will form a part of the current agreement being negotiated with the teachers and administrators at the moment? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) It is my understanding that asbestos-removal strategies are certainly determined by Building Management and Works, together with Education, so they obviously have to work together. However, I understand that Building Management and Works is the lead agency. The collaboration between the department and BMW is certainly strong at all times. Each school has a current report on asbestos in the school. If there is asbestos, for instance along veranda ways and so on, that is damaged in any way, it is immediately dealt with. The work is done under the auspices of Building Management and Works, and, as I understand it, it is the same for other government buildings. Asbestos is removed when necessary; it is not always necessary to remove it, and I — Mr B.S. Wyatt : But has there been a strategy? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I understand that the department and the union have a collaborative arrangement whereby they meet regularly to discuss matters such as this and other matters to do with schools and education.
(3) Will the minister guarantee that an asbestos-removal strategy will form a part of the current agreement being negotiated with the teachers and administrators at the moment? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) It is my understanding that asbestos-removal strategies are certainly determined by Building Management and Works, together with Education, so they obviously have to work together. However, I understand that Building Management and Works is the lead agency. The collaboration between the department and BMW is certainly strong at all times. Each school has a current report on asbestos in the school. If there is asbestos, for instance along veranda ways and so on, that is damaged in any way, it is immediately dealt with. The work is done under the auspices of Building Management and Works, and, as I understand it, it is the same for other government buildings. Asbestos is removed when necessary; it is not always necessary to remove it, and I — Mr B.S. Wyatt : But has there been a strategy? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I understand that the department and the union have a collaborative arrangement whereby they meet regularly to discuss matters such as this and other matters to do with schools and education.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) It is my understanding that asbestos-removal strategies are certainly determined by Building Management and Works, together with Education, so they obviously have to work together. However, I understand that Building Management and Works is the lead agency. The collaboration between the department and BMW is certainly strong at all times. Each school has a current report on asbestos in the school. If there is asbestos, for instance along veranda ways and so on, that is damaged in any way, it is immediately dealt with. The work is done under the auspices of Building Management and Works, and, as I understand it, it is the same for other government buildings. Asbestos is removed when necessary; it is not always necessary to remove it, and I — Mr B.S. Wyatt : But has there been a strategy? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I understand that the department and the union have a collaborative arrangement whereby they meet regularly to discuss matters such as this and other matters to do with schools and education.
(1)–(3) It is my understanding that asbestos-removal strategies are certainly determined by Building Management and Works, together with Education, so they obviously have to work together. However, I understand that Building Management and Works is the lead agency. The collaboration between the department and BMW is certainly strong at all times. Each school has a current report on asbestos in the school. If there is asbestos, for instance along veranda ways and so on, that is damaged in any way, it is immediately dealt with. The work is done under the auspices of Building Management and Works, and, as I understand it, it is the same for other government buildings. Asbestos is removed when necessary; it is not always necessary to remove it, and I — Mr B.S. Wyatt : But has there been a strategy? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I understand that the department and the union have a collaborative arrangement whereby they meet regularly to discuss matters such as this and other matters to do with schools and education.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : But has there been a strategy? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I understand that the department and the union have a collaborative arrangement whereby they meet regularly to discuss matters such as this and other matters to do with schools and education.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I understand that the department and the union have a collaborative arrangement whereby they meet regularly to discuss matters such as this and other matters to do with schools and education.

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