❓ Opposition MP Staltari questions the Minister for Education regarding the number of schools impacted by potential asbestos-containing sand and requests a list of affected schools. The Minister responds by highlighting updated advice indicating a very low risk and states that 400 schools reported coloured sand, but the list is live and being updated.
AnsweredQoN 681Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Schools—Coloured sand
681. Mr Liam Staltari to
the Minister for Education:
I refer to the
Premier's public comments that 76 schools are impacted by potential asbestos-containing
sand products in WA and to the minister's refusal to advise which schools they
were in response to a question in the other place.
(1) Is it still 76 schools or is it more?
(2) Will the minister table the list of those
schools?
(3) If not, why is the minister not being up-front
about which schools have been impacted?
681. Mr Liam Staltari to
the Minister for Education:
I refer to the
Premier's public comments that 76 schools are impacted by potential asbestos-containing
sand products in WA and to the minister's refusal to advise which schools they
were in response to a question in the other place.
(1) Is it still 76 schools or is it more?
(2) Will the minister table the list of those
schools?
(3) If not, why is the minister not being up-front
about which schools have been impacted?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I thank the member opposite for
the question. I say at the outset that the safety and wellbeing of our students
and staff is always a priority. I am very happy to update the house with the
latest updated federal environmental health advice, which of course is good
news because the further testing that has been done reconfirms that the
products identified through the recall have a very low risk—
Mr Lachlan Hunter: Low or no risk?
Ms Sabine Winton: It is a very low risk for anyone who
has come into contact with the recalled product, whether in our schools, our
early learning centres or potentially the thousands and thousands of homes in
which mums, dads and families may have had contact with it. I know that many in
our community right around the state would be very relieved with this latest—
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, the
minister is responding. Please stop interjecting.
Ms Sabine Winton: They would be very relieved with the
latest national advice that there is a very low risk to children, families and
schools that had contact with it. The relevant state agencies are now working
with workplace safety authorities on updated advice. That will continue to go
out to schools to ensure that everyone has the clarity they need to support not
only people in schools but also families right across our state in our homes. When
it comes to the actual question on the number of schools, my advice is that some
400 schools have reported the existence of coloured sand in their school. I
also emphasise that many of those schools have, out of an abundance of caution,
reported any coloured sand products and not just the ones on the recall list. That
list is a live list as schools update their understanding of what they have reported
and what they do not need to report. I can reassure members that the
information from the Department of Education that is going out to all schools
throughout the state is clear, firm and not only gives great guidance to
schools in terms of managing the very low risk that has now been confirmed by
testing, but also provides advice to parents with regard to these products.
the question. I say at the outset that the safety and wellbeing of our students
and staff is always a priority. I am very happy to update the house with the
latest updated federal environmental health advice, which of course is good
news because the further testing that has been done reconfirms that the
products identified through the recall have a very low risk—
Mr Lachlan Hunter: Low or no risk?
Ms Sabine Winton: It is a very low risk for anyone who
has come into contact with the recalled product, whether in our schools, our
early learning centres or potentially the thousands and thousands of homes in
which mums, dads and families may have had contact with it. I know that many in
our community right around the state would be very relieved with this latest—
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, the
minister is responding. Please stop interjecting.
Ms Sabine Winton: They would be very relieved with the
latest national advice that there is a very low risk to children, families and
schools that had contact with it. The relevant state agencies are now working
with workplace safety authorities on updated advice. That will continue to go
out to schools to ensure that everyone has the clarity they need to support not
only people in schools but also families right across our state in our homes. When
it comes to the actual question on the number of schools, my advice is that some
400 schools have reported the existence of coloured sand in their school. I
also emphasise that many of those schools have, out of an abundance of caution,
reported any coloured sand products and not just the ones on the recall list. That
list is a live list as schools update their understanding of what they have reported
and what they do not need to report. I can reassure members that the
information from the Department of Education that is going out to all schools
throughout the state is clear, firm and not only gives great guidance to
schools in terms of managing the very low risk that has now been confirmed by
testing, but also provides advice to parents with regard to these products.
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