AWU calls for Asbestos Audit

Date: 09 January 2003

The Australian Workers' Union calls on the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs to undertake an asbestos and fire audit at Australia's detention centres.

AWU National Secretary Bill Shorten said the Federal Government's claim that asbestos at the Port Hedland detention centre was "stable" was not supported by evidence, and contrary to the concerns of an independent report by another Federal Government department.

The Government's claim followed a Comcare report into safety at Port Hedland detention centre commissioned by the Department of Workplace Relations. The Australian Industrial Relations Commission ordered the report after AWU detention centre staff took industrial action to raise the alarm about safety at the site.

The Comcare report handed down on 11 November, 2002 supported staff concerns about asbestos and fire safety standards at the Western Australian facility.

The report recommended: "The performance of the fire safety system in the detention environment should be re-evaluated for the detention environment by a risk assessment, to ensure that the required objectives of the fire safety systems are achieved.''

It also stated: "ACM should ensure that an asbestos register/management plan has been created in accordance wit the NOHSC guidelines and that information abut the location and condition of products containing asbestos is available at the site.''

Mr Shorten said the statements on safety at the Port Hedland detention centre from one Government Department contradicted the other. "Does the left hand of Tony Abbott's department not know what the right hand of Philip Ruddock's department is doing?,'' Mr Shorten asked. "Is DIM IA saying Comcare is wrong?"

Mr Shorten said DIMIA, the owner of the facilities, had an immediate moral and legal responsibility to ensure asbestos at the facilities was not harming staff and detainees.

"The Federal Government needs to do the right thing and follow the Comcare recommendations by undertaking an asbestos audit at all detention facilities.''

Mr Shorten said some wall and roof panels in the facilities had been removed or tampered with according to the Comcare inspection. "These panels may contain asbestos and no longer be stable. They must be assessed immediately for the safety of staff and detainees.''

The AWU is seeking legal advice on behalf of staff about the threat to their health because of possible asbestos exposure. The AWU also calls for:

·An asbestos registry to be set up immediately
·All asbestos removed in accordance with the NOHSC guidelines
·Full fire safety audit and asbestos audit at every Australian detention centres

The Immigration Minister should abide by the same standards as other Australian businesses and complete an asbestos register, Mr Shorten said.

For further information

Contact:	Andrea Carson
Union:	Australian Workers Union (National Office)
Phone:	039 3298733
Contact Mobile:	0407 041933
Fax:	03 8327 0862
Email:	awu@iprimus.com.au
WWW:	www.awu.net.au

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