The ACT government began buying back asbestos-affected homes last year before it had secured a loan, and despite its fear the proposed funding deal could collapse.
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The two governments – represented by then ACT chief minister Katy Gallagher and federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz – had struck an earlier, in-principle deal in October 2014 to finance the purchase and demolition of more than 1000 homes, which are now regarded as too unsafe to live in.
However, Asbestos Response Taskforce officials lacked faith in the Commonwealth's commitment, believing the agreement was fragile and could be derailed before it was signed.
Taskforce head Andrew Kefford and lawyer Fiona Barbaro, in response to freedom of information requests, cited the likelihood of the deal collapsing as a reason the list of asbestos-affected homes should not be made public.
The ACT government told The Canberra Times it had needed to buy some of the houses before it had secured funding because the properties were too toxic.
A spokesman said
A spokeswoman for the taskforce said it was "disappointed if the company's mail-out has created distress for home owners". "We encourage any home owners with concerns around the letter to contact the company directly to advise them of this," she said.
The official list of 1021 properties will remain secret until July, though several unauthorised copies have been distributed in the community, particularly among tradespeople.
A spokesman for the government said it wanted to give home owners more time to consider the buyback scheme "without having the location of their home known publicly".
"The government recognises that the location of the properties will have to be made public in the future for the continued administration of the buyback and demolition program, but respecting the privacy of home owners for as long as possible remains a priority ..." he said.
Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson agreed with the government's decision to suppress the list of properties until July, saying the issues involved were complex.
"Picking balance," he said.
"I understand there will be some Mr Fluffy owners who would never want that information released. We need to be compassionate towards them, but I think that date –
However, Mr Hanson said taskforce officials had had no reason to distrust the Commonwealth's offer to lend the ACT $1 billion.
