Opposition asks about lead contamination at Perth Children's Hospital and asbestos in other projects. Government deflects, referencing past Labor issues and asserting they are resolving current problems, highlighting their construction achievements.

AnsweredQoN 637Legislative Assembly
Asked
8 September 2016
Portfolio
Treasurer

QuestionView source ↗

PERTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL — LEAD
CONTAMINATION
637. Mr R.H. COOK to the Treasurer:
I have a supplementary question. Can the Treasurer give us the details
of any other new building projects that actually have asbestos contamination?
When did the government find out about the lead contamination at the new
children's hospital and why did it not inform the public at the time?

AnswerView source ↗

There are a couple of issues. I can remember that we spent a lot of
money in Esperance. What did we spend? We spent $30 million fixing up Labor's
mess. That was lead. It was not just killing the birds; it was also threatening
the lives of children in the area. We addressed that. We know the danger of
lead. We identified the problem and we are solving it.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : That is enough!
Mr P.T. Miles : It was Alannah!
The SPEAKER : Members!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : It was Alannah. The lovely Alannah; she is
back.
Mr C.J. Barnett : The next Labor leader!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Uh-oh. Is she going to be the next shadow
transport minister? Oh God! Keep her away from Esperance.
Mr F.M. Logan : What about asbestos in the children's
hospital?
The SPEAKER : Through the Chair, please.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : We are resolving that. There is no asbestos
in the children's hospital; there is a big construction site that will
be a hospital that has some problems. We will resolve it. We will open the
hospital and all the public of Western Australia can come and see the
magnificent facility we have built for the children of Western Australia. We
will put a placard there: ''We built; they whinged. We built; they
undermined.'' That is the contribution of the Labor Party. Do you think
they would be able to do what we have done? Not a chance!

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