howard government knew about telstra pit asbestos, abbott refused to act

[not_an_eloi]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/labor-says-the-howard-government-knew-about-asbestos-in-te...

THE Howard coalition government was aware 12 years ago there was an asbestos problem in Telstra's pits and ducts, federal Labor says.
"The previous government knew all about it, and did nothing about it," cabinet minister Craig Emerson told Sky News this morning.

Telstra has been accused of cutting corners when handing over infrastructure to the national broadband network builder NBN Co after contractors and communities raised fears they had been exposed to the deadly material.

The Gillard government has been under pressure from the coalition to explain when and how much it knew about the asbestos problem at Telstra.

Fairfax Media says the giant telco wanted to create an independent body to accelerate compensation and sought approval from the Department of Workplace Relations in 2001.

However, the department, then under the ministerial leadership of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, rejected the plan.

 
"He's the guy now complaining," Dr Emerson said.

"This is nothing more than a way of attacking the national broadband network by the coalition"

Earlier today, Industry Minister Greg Combet has issued a stern warning to Telstra over the issue.

Greg Combet, a former union heavyweight who pursued James Hardie over asbestos issues, said Telstra must do all it can to protect those affected by exposure to deadly asbestos in connection with the NBN.

"It is critical that it is done in mind with the greatest security for members of the community," Mr Combet told ABC Radio.

"We all know what is necessary and as you say I've got a lot of experience unfortunately with people being exposed to asbestos and by crikey they better do this job well."

Labor yesterday met with NBN co, Telstra and other stakeholders in Canberra to discuss the issue.

Workplace Minister Bill Shorten said a national taskforce would be set up to monitor exposure prevention and supervise contracting workers during the network rollout.

NBN sites have been shut down in several states after asbestos was disturbed in Telstra pits.

The issue dominated parliament yesterday and is expected to be a key topic in meetings of the Labor caucus and Coalition party room later today

[print-stuff-and-things]

About 6 months ago, they were putting the NBN in my street. One of the workers asked to use my hose because they needed it to deal with some asbestos in the hole they were digging., so it seems like everybody knew. We also had a factory demolished in our street and a huge skip full of the stuff sitting uncovered for a whole weekend. I phoned everyone. The council, worksafe etc, etc, (even the police) who all said it was someone else's problem. They all love printing leaflets, but unless the media are involved, no-one gives a cr*p.

[lightningdance]

We all knew this asbestos was in pits. Labor NBN Co paid Telstra $11 billion dollars for their pits & wires. The asbestos is just another failure of Labor not doing their homework & now blame shifting (what else is new).  $11 billion we paid for the pits so therefore we own the pits therefore NBN Co & Labor's policy is the owner of this mess.

They just can't govern, they are incompetent.

Sept 14th will see the end of chaos & waste, we will be fortunate to get a govt. that has a proven record of excellence.

[freakiness]

We all knew this asbestos was in pits. Labor NBN Co paid Telstra $11 billion dollars for their pits & wires. The asbestos is just another failure of Labor not doing their homework & now blame shifting (what else is new).  $11 billion we paid for the pits so therefore we own the pits therefore NBN Co & Labor's policy is the owner of this mess.

They just can't govern, they are incompetent.

Sept 14th will see the end of chaos & waste, we will be fortunate to get a govt. that has a proven record of excellence.

Wrong.

We did not pay anything for the pits. Telstra own the pits and Telstra will retain ownership of the pits.  NBN Co rent the pits AFTER Telstra fix them.

[silverfaun]

So Labor paid $11 billion dollars to Telstra & they retain the infrastructure :^O It just never gets better for Labor does it.

[freakiness]

So Labor paid $11 billion dollars to Telstra & they retain the infrastructure :^O It just never gets better for Labor does it.

No, they did not pay Telstra $11B . The pay rent on each pit after they rent them, not before.

Telstra are responsible for maintenance of old pits.