South Australian Housing Trust Investigation -- MesoLink.org -- 07-23-04

An investigation has been ordered on the South Australian Housing trust following concerns over asbestos removal methods and practices.

MP, Nick Xenophon, expressed his concerns to State Auditor, Ken MacPherson, following an internal trust report.

Mr Xenophon stated: "This is not just about taxpayer funds not being spent properly, it's also about public health being put at risk."

This followed a review, which indicated that the health and safety procedures used by staff and contractors of the Trust are not adequate.

Trust Manager, Malcolm Downie, retaliated by stating: "The review's findings are helping the trust further improve its occupational health and safety procedures and duty of care to tenants, staff and contractors and ensure they meet best practice."

It was also indicated that the Trust has been in the midst of improved training on health and safety procedures for staff and contractors, as well as more efficient asbestos testing methods.

However, a resident of the Trust has now made a complaint stating that she requested repairs to her home for a couple of years, as there were holes in her kitchen and bathroom walls. She was appalled when the trust, after doing nothing for those two years, turned up and evacuated her and her autistic son with practically no warning, so that they could carry out works to the property.

The resident, Miss Fleet, stated that she didn’t even have time to get clothes together, and was put in to a taxi and sent to a motel with her son. She stated that the Trust would not discuss the possibility of asbestos exposure with her when she queries their procedures on the matter.