At Work

June 18, 2012: The South Australian lower House could be closed for several months to determine whether asbestos has been disturbed. Estimated cost of cleaning up is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

June 18, 2012: The South Australian House of Assembly has been closed indefinitely while a plan is devised to remove traces of asbestos found in dust in the roof space and in paint on an 1880s canvas awning.

28 June, 2012: Asbestos scares have caused construction projects in Western Australia’s Pilbara to come to a halt while an investigation occurs.

16 August, 2012: Workplace Minister Bill Shorten released a report calling for a national asbestos management body to be set up and the removal of all asbestos from commercial and government buildings by 2030.

16 August, 2012: The Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations released the Asbestos Management Review Report. The report contains recommendations for the development of a national strategic plan to improve asbestos awareness and management in Australia.

4 September, 2012: The federal government will set up a national agency to oversee the removal of the deadly material from all government and commercial buildings by 2030.

29 October, 2012: Staff at Fremantle police station have had to be relocated after asbestos was found in the roof during air conditioning maintenance.