Inter-departmental Committee on Asbestos-related Issues for Government Presentation by James Latham

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Inter-departmental Committee on Asbestos-related
Issues for GovernmentPresentation by James
Latham
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• Asbestos issues in Victoria highlighted by NSW
  action against James Hardie - MRCF Trust
• Asbestos is a major issue for Victorian
  Government managing risks to the community and
  Government
• Many stakeholders expect Government action
• Government and local government have similar
  issues

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• Government considered a report on Government
  asbestos issues
• Marsha Thomson MP, Minister for Consumer Affairs,
  given general responsibility for coordinating the
  Government's position on asbestos-related issues
• Inter-departmental committee (IDC) established to
  act on recommendations
• Key objective of IDC - to formulate proposals to
  improve the management of asbestos-related issues
  by the Government

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• IDC - representatives from Departments of Premier
  Cabinet, Treasury Finance, Human Services,
  Sustainability Environment, Victorian
  Communities and Justice (CAV)
• Supported by Government agencies eg. EPA VWA,
  MFB CFA consulted through their Departments

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• Identify asbestos-related issues
• Estimate the dimensions of the issues
• Identify activities on the issues
• Identify current co-ordination arrangements
• Assess effectiveness of current activities and
  co-ordination
• Make recommendations for change

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• Issues include
• lack of community knowledge
• do-it-yourself home renovators - greatest risk of
  new exposures
• gaps in co-ordination within Government and local
  government
• no licenced removers for small volumes
• lack of disposal facilities
• asbestos in some Government/local government
  buildings.

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• Solutions include
• communications strategy including a focus on
  do-it-yourself home renovators
• improved co-ordination within Government and with
  local government
• improved disposal arrangements
• auditing Government buildings for asbestos.

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• IDC output will be a report to Government with
  recommendations expected at the end of 2005
• IDC currently acting on some solutions

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• Stakeholders expect Government action
• Broad group of stakeholders eg. trade unions,
  asbestos support groups, asbestos removal
  businesses, health professionals
• Have been advised of IDC
• Will comment on discussion paper around October
  2005

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• Plays a major role in
• compliance issues eg. permits for building
  demolition and enforcing nuisance provisions
• informing residents about asbestos-related issues
• referring residents to Government agencies

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• Key player in the
• IDC process
• ongoing interaction with the community

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• IDC has spoken with MAV about interacting with
  local government
• IDC will send discussion paper around October
  2005 seeking comment
• Expect advice in early 2006 about Governments
  decisions

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Thank you