The Greens’ Parliamentary action on Baryulgil

Background – Media Reports

• James Hardie unlikely to pay compensation for Aboriginal kids exposed to asbestos in NSW town of Baryulgil – Matt Peacock, ABC 7.30, 8 September 2016.
• James Hardie’s Baryulgil asbestos mining ‘genocide’ – Susan Chenery, The Saturday Paper, 7 November 2015.

Parliamentary Record

• 25 June 2015 – Questions on notice by Jan Barham to the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight
• 25 June 2015 – Questions on notice by Jan Barham to the Minister for Health
• 25 June 2015 – Questions on notice by Jan Barham to the Minister for Finance, Services and Property
• 19 November 2014 – Questions on notice by Jan Barham to the Minister for Health and Medical Research
• 19 November 2014 – Questions on notice by Jan Barham to the Minister for Finance and Services
• 3 May 2005 – Questions on notice by Ian Cohen to the Minister for Education [Questions and Answers Paper PDF]:
  

  *2208 EDUCATION—ASBESTOS IN BARYULGIL—Mr Cohen asked the Minister for Education and Training—
  (1) Is the Department of Education and Training taking steps to clear asbestos from playground and school areas in Baryulgil?
  (2) If so, what is the timeframe?

  Answer—
  (1) The Department of Education and Training undertook works in the grounds of Baryulgil Public School during 2004 involving the resurfacing of asphalt, caulking the concrete slab joints and the laying of new paths at a total cost of $15,894.00.
  (2) All works were completed by November 2004.

• 3 May 2005 – Questions on notice by Ian Cohen to the Minister for the Environment [Questions and Answers Paper PDF]:
  

  *2209 ENVIRONMENT—ASBESTOS AT BARYULGIL—Mr Cohen asked the Minister for Justice, Minister for Fair Trading, Minister Assisting the Minister for Commerce, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship representing the Attorney General and Minister for the Environment—
  Will the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigate the poisoning of the water supply at Baryulgil by asbestos tailings?

  Answer—
  The Baryulgil Asbestos Mine is a derelict mine.
  The Government has spent $2.1 million on major rehabilitation works and more than $60,000 in maintenance works to ensure the stability of the site and protect the environment. This funding has come through the Derelict Mines Program, managed by the Department of Primary Industries.
  The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is unaware of any reports concerning pollution of the water supply at Baryugil. However, if the Honourable Member has any further information, I ask that he forward it to me. I will then ask DEC to investigate the matter as necessary.