ASBESTOS, SCHOOL

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:58): Why did the department take four years to inform parents at the outer metropolitan school of their children's exposure to asbestos?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:59): I explained that very carefully in my ministerial statement yesterday. When that site was initially inspected, there was no asbestos recorded.

The Hon. J.W. Weatherill interjecting:

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Yes, in 1996, no asbestos was recorded, as I am advised.

The Hon. J.W. Weatherill interjecting:

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Would the Minister for Education be seated? If I hear one more word out of the deputy leader, she will be leaving for an hour. I also call the Premier to order for goading the deputy leader. The Minister for Education.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I went through very carefully in my ministerial statement yesterday about the circumstances and I would refer the member for Unley back to my ministerial statement rather than put everyone through the trial of listening to it all again. I cannot answer for the recollections of other people, but what I can say is that I am grateful that one of the people at that site recalled what had occurred and had the courage to approach the principal so that we can take some action and advise parents. I would encourage anyone, if they recall things that occurred before a facility was registered on that asbestos register, to come forward with those recollections.