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Wallaga asbestos documents: Government forced to come clean

The Rees Government will be forced to release all departmental documentation relating to asbestos in Wallaga Lake.

The move follows a successful call for papers moved by NSW Liberals Shadow Minister for the Environment Catherine Cusack and supported by the Shooters, the Greens, the Christian Democrats and the Hon. Gordon Moyes in the NSW Legislative Council.

Labor and Christian Democrat Rev. Fred Nile sought to defeat the motion by voting against the call for papers.

"The NSW Liberals are determined to get to the bottom of why the NSW Government has turned its back on the Wallaga Lake community and the problems of asbestos besetting local residents," Member for Bega Andrew Constance said.

"The Rees Government through Greater Southern Area Health Service is claiming that there are no health risks, yet in recent weeks we have had one contractor and the Asbestos Diseases Foundation indicate that there is a significant problem," Mr Constance said.

“We need to ensure the asbestos is cleaned up and an answer from the State Government is given as to why it took 18 months for an assessment to be undertaken of the problem.

"Every NSW Government agency involved will now be forced by law to release the documentation despite efforts of the Government and Rev Fred Nile to block the NSW Liberals’attempts.

“Rev Fred Nile should be forced publicly to explain why he would oppose such a motion seeking the documents and why he voted with Labor," Mr Constance said.

"I am very disappointed in his decision and ask of him to reflect deeply on why he made such a decision," he said.

"This is a very serious situation that is yet to be resolved and there must be accountability.

"I do not want to see anybody's health at risk and a process to ensure that the asbestos is cleaned up should be found as quickly as possible," he said