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

[freakiness]

If the people in that story are so worried about the pit, why are their babies sitting next to the edge of said pit?

[catsnknots]

I don't' get what you are saying freaky?? 

The only problem is with the damaged pits... the ones that are of a concern are the broken ones where the workers were removing the broken up bits of concrete infested with asbestos. They are of great risk to the population. 

[freakiness]

I don't' get what you are saying freaky?? 

The only problem is with the damaged pits... the ones that are of a concern are the broken ones where the workers were removing the broken up bits of concrete infested with asbestos. They are of great risk to the population. 

The people in the story are claiming to be in fear of the pit outside their house. The photo shows the pit, which is obviously a newer plastic one, with their babies playing on the ground at the edge of the pit they claimed to be in fear of.

[freakiness]

I don't' get what you are saying freaky?? 

The only problem is with the damaged pits... the ones that are of a concern are the broken ones where the workers were removing the broken up bits of concrete infested with asbestos. They are of great risk to the population. 

Most of the pit work seems to have been handled correctly. People have been puzzled about why Telstra seek to use their hoses to add water to pit while working on them since the beginning. People have been having whinges about the crews working on pits and making mud.  😄

Now I guess they know why the water was used.

[monman12]

LL: "existing 'plans' would have to be honoured before switchover. naturally some wouldn't .. those who had dial -up in the past may be still overwhelmed by asdl"

"you pays your money etc.."

MM: "Actually you do not "get your choice" because there will be a compulsory shut-down of the copper network (no competition please, we are the NBN)"

FN: "Yes, we do get a choice.

The NBN is a wholesale provider."

FN the comments actually only refer  to having a choice between fibre and copper!!!

LL: "things may change in sept, but i get the feeling a few backflips are iminent too."

Meaning that everything will remain the same. Perhaps doing a 180 or a U-turn would be more descriptive.

[freakiness]

FN the comments actually only refer  to having a choice between fibre and copper!!!

LL: "things may change in sept, but i get the feeling a few backflips are iminent too."

Meaning that everything will remain the same. Perhaps doing a 180 or a U-turn would be more descriptive.

As Masayoshi Son said in 2010, to keep a dual copper / fibre network is stupid.

Because the cost of maintenance and operational technologies it's a stupid waste.

Copper has had a very long and productive life and has earned it's enduring place in network history. Optical Fibre is starting it's life as the mass means of communications technology.  Not saying it's new. Just saying it's proven and cost effective.  It's time has come. We actually are world leaders in technology fields. We have great young talents.  I can't see any reason to deprive them of the best network.

[monman12]

So FN?

I was only commenting on your interpretation of what LL and myself were discussing : "That there will be no choice of copper when NBN eventually ensures there is no competition.

FN:  "Masayoshi Son said in 2010, to keep a dual copper / fibre network is stupid.

Because the cost of maintenance and operational technologies it's a stupid waste."

Son also is prepared to  allow his ADSL customers to choose when they wish to move to fibre, and estimates that replacing the 50-year-old copper wire system will take an investment of three trillion yen over a period of five years. Despite the enormous cost, Son remains convinced that taxpayers should not have to foot any part of the bill.

5 years, and private investment.

[freakiness]

So FN?

I was only commenting on your interpretation of what LL and myself were discussing : "That there will be no choice of copper when NBN eventually ensures there is no competition.

FN:  "Masayoshi Son said in 2010, to keep a dual copper / fibre network is stupid.

Because the cost of maintenance and operational technologies it's a stupid waste."

Son also is prepared to  allow his ADSL customers to choose when they wish to move to fibre, and estimates that replacing the 50-year-old copper wire system will take an investment of three trillion yen over a period of five years. Despite the enormous cost, Son remains convinced that taxpayers should not have to foot any part of the bill.

5 years, and private investment.

No, Son expressly said all the way through the 1 hour talk that the whole idea was to do away with ADSL. It was about selling it to his shareholders and the government to partner up with the competition to go fibre all the way.  That is what made the question so dumb.

You should listen to the speech in it's entirety, not from the point at which the Aus journo asked the question that proved he hadn't heard a word. 

I am assuming you haven't seen it. Mr Son has an amusing way of speaking English. He is very easy to listen to.

[freakiness]

we don't have the level of private investment they do and we need to build the skills force and asset now,  not when we can grovel to someone for subs to do it for us.

We just don't have the population density to do it any other way. Just like Australia Post, we would go without if left to private sector so we create our own business enterprise.

BTW, did you catch the bit about the profits?

They're earning more in interest than product so far.  😄

[freakiness]

Didn't he suggest a percentage of gov partnership?

The 2 telcos, his business and the gov?