Viewed
Asbestos
Mr Fletcher asked:
1) Is it a fact that in the 1980s and 1990s the government participated in and funded a scheme to identify
and remediate houses in the ACT that contained friable asbestos; if so,
a) will the Minister provide information about the program, including the sum of money provided by the government and other parties, and
b) what government department(s) administered the program.
2) Are there currently any Government programs which would provide support, assistance or funding to home owner occupiers in NSW whose properties are contaminated with friable asbestos; if so, will the Minister provide information about the programs; if no programs exist, does the Minister have any discretionary power to provide such support, assistance or funding; if so, will the Minister provide information about this discretionary power.
Mr Crean responded:
1) In 1988, the Commonwealth Government announced the Loose Asbestos Insulation Removal Program to remove pure loose-fill asbestos insulation from affected Canberra houses at public expense.
This program was undertaken by the Commonwealth as a result of its state government role in the ACT. With the introduction of self government in 1988, the program was transferred to the ACT on a shared funding arrangement. The Department of Urban Services (ACT) administered the program which concluded in 1993. Commonwealth funding was provided through the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories. The Commonwealth’s contribution to the program was approximately $56million. The ACT contributed $44million. No more precise figures are able to be provided due to the time that has elapsed since the program was undertaken.
2) The Minister does not administer any Government programs related to providing financial assistance to home owner occupiers in NSW whose properties are contaminated with friable asbestos.
The Minister has no discretionary power to provide any support, funding or assistance as no funds have been appropriated for this purpose.
