The Federal Cabinet has agreed to offer a concessional loan to the ACT Government to help pay for the demolition of more than 1,000 homes affected by potentially deadly loose-fill asbestos. Whilst a final agreement with the ACT Government has yet to be finalised, it is understood that the offer will allow the ACT Government to buyback each affected home at full market value and to safely remediate and dispose of asbestos over the next five years.  The loan would be repaid to the Federal Government through proceeds from land sales once the asbestos had been removed.

NECA has actively lobbied the ACT Government to ensure a resolution for homeowners and electrical contractors that did not compromise personal safety.  With the issue in the ACT such a wide-spread concern, we are glad to learn of this resolution that allows for the remediation of each affected site.  Safety for electrical contractors and homeowners is a fundamental tenet of the electrical contracting industry and we believe this outcome will provide a greater degree of certainty in the ACT.

Please find the attached link to the ACT Government’s Asbestos Response Taskforce.

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Andrew Jefferies – National Policy and Submissions

E andrew.jefferies@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6903

M 0458 726 355

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its Legal firm, Group Training and the NECA Colleges (in WA) and EcoSmart Electricians – and has joint ventures with a superannuation company (NSW) and one of the national cabling registrars (ACRS).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000
8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au .