Canberra grandmother and cancer victim Kathy Pryce wept tears of relief on Tuesday at hearing the ACT Government will fund a $1 billion demolition of more than 1000 Mr Fluffy homes.
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And as she battles a very aggressive renal cell carcinoma – Mrs Pryce was singled out on Tuesday by Chief Minister Katy Gallagher as the first Mr Fluffy homeowner she wanted to help.
Ms Gallagher indicated that a buyback and demolition scheme could begin from January and Mrs Pryce deserved the most immediate attention in light of her serious health problems.
"It is good we are being recognised for our suffering," Mrs Pryce said.
"It is good we are going to be assisted in getting out of our disgusting homes. That is progress," she said through her tears.
But she also expressed deep sadness at the idea of having to leave her block of land in Flynn, with the views and memories she treasured.
"I want desperately to stay on my land, so I want to see what can be done in that respect. It is not great news but it is progress and it is an announcement before Christmas. We just saw no way forward before this."
The Fluffy Owners and Residents' Action Group convener Brianna Hestletine, who has campaigned tirelessly to bring a resolution to the issue since discovering in April her young family was living in a home with remnant amosite asbestos, said there had been an outpouring of emotion among residents.
"Our lives have been on hold since February. We had fallen into ever deeper states of anxiety and stress. Finally, we have a date for the commencement of the scheme. There are no words to describe the lifting of this insufferable weight," she said.
But there was also dismay among families that once again, Queanbeyan Mr Fluffy victims have been ignored by the Commonwealth in its response to the problem.
"Our eyes are fixed on Queanbeyan. They must receive help from the NSW Government. The Premier should intervene," Ms Heseltine said.
NSW Labor parliamentarian Steve Whan said the federal government's response to the Mr Fluffy asbestos crisis left "an unconscionable gulf defined by a line on a map – the border between the ACT and NSW."
"It is absolutely unbelievable that the Federal government has today relied on 'legal advice' to shirk responsibility for the asbestos crisis," Mr Whan said.
"The offer of a $1 billion concessional loan to the ACT is a positive step, but for the same offer to not be made to NSW is unconscionable," he said.
"Mr Fluffy loose fill asbestos is a major health hazard wherever it was used. That health hazard doesn't stop at the ACT border, yet we have a Federal government offering funds only to the ACT, and only as a loan. Yet again, no solution, and no offer, to the people of NSW."