Ms LEE - 2014-10-21
On my recent trip through my electorate, I met with very concerned members of the Milingimbi community in regard to asbestos removal and disposal in the area. For example, when the new clinic was built the remains of the old clinic were placed at the public dump. This is unacceptable for the workers and community members who have now been exposed to this asbestos. According to your media release, Aboriginal people are now to be trained to remove asbestos from their communities. Could you please advise what is being done about the safe removal of asbestos in Aboriginal communities such as Milingimbi, and what is the progress of training Aboriginal people in the removal of asbestos?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. Yes, there have been asbestos cleanups in various communities. I was in Maningrida and visited the organisation doing the job training for these young local people in the community on how to fix houses that have asbestos in them. It was great to see the number of very keen Aboriginal people wanting to be part of this cleanup. It was great to see the enthusiasm on the day ...
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. I am talking about Milingimbi.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could get to the point, please.
Mrs PRICE: There is asbestos clearing in the communities. There will be training in Milingimbi as well because it is important we provide training to make sure people are safe and know how to combat asbestos in communities.
Maningrida is the only community I have had contact with that has had this training. There are local people there keen to learn and be trained so they can be in a safe environment. There was a fellow, I am proud to say, who came across from Ramingining; he had worked in asbestos cleaning there. That is one of the communities in your electorate. This young bloke who came across from Ramingining was so eager to help and work alongside local people in Maningrida to show them how to work in a safe environment.
There is training happening. It is the way to do it to make sure people are in a safe environment ...
Ms ANDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. My colleague asked a question about Milingimbi, and what is happening regarding the safe removal …
Madam SPEAKER: The minister has the call, and she is addressing the question.
Mrs PRICE: As I have made clear, I will find the information about Milingimbi. There is training in progress. The fellow from Ramingining, an Aboriginal bloke who has already been involved, has put his hand up and is working with the consultant fixing up these houses which have asbestos in them, and with providers in training new workers to make sure there is a safe environment for them to work in.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. Yes, there have been asbestos cleanups in various communities. I was in Maningrida and visited the organisation doing the job training for these young local people in the community on how to fix houses that have asbestos in them. It was great to see the number of very keen Aboriginal people wanting to be part of this cleanup. It was great to see the enthusiasm on the day ...
Ms LEE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. I am talking about Milingimbi.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you could get to the point, please.
Mrs PRICE: There is asbestos clearing in the communities. There will be training in Milingimbi as well because it is important we provide training to make sure people are safe and know how to combat asbestos in communities.
Maningrida is the only community I have had contact with that has had this training. There are local people there keen to learn and be trained so they can be in a safe environment. There was a fellow, I am proud to say, who came across from Ramingining; he had worked in asbestos cleaning there. That is one of the communities in your electorate. This young bloke who came across from Ramingining was so eager to help and work alongside local people in Maningrida to show them how to work in a safe environment.
There is training happening. It is the way to do it to make sure people are in a safe environment ...
Ms ANDERSON: A point of order, Madam Speaker! Standing Order 113: relevance. My colleague asked a question about Milingimbi, and what is happening regarding the safe removal …
Madam SPEAKER: The minister has the call, and she is addressing the question.
Mrs PRICE: As I have made clear, I will find the information about Milingimbi. There is training in progress. The fellow from Ramingining, an Aboriginal bloke who has already been involved, has put his hand up and is working with the consultant fixing up these houses which have asbestos in them, and with providers in training new workers to make sure there is a safe environment for them to work in.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016