Australian Heritage Council chairman and former Labor politician Professor Carmen Lawrence says the council will be asking questions about whether someone took their ''eye off the ball'' in the management of the heritage-listed John Gorton Building, which has a dangerous crumbling facade.
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Comcare, the federal agency responsible for workplace safety, also confirmed it sent inspectors to assess the building on Thursday but wouldn't comment on any findings.
It follows revelations that an assessment had found there was a risk of sandstone and other materials detaching from the facade and falling to the footpath, driveways and lawn areas around the Parkes building, which houses public servants from the Finance and Environment departments. Some material had already been found at the base of the building.
The report warns that death or serious injury could result as the Finance Department sought urgent funds for the repair work.
The risk assessment has recommended a safety fence be erected around the building and overhead protective hoardings put in place for an indefinite period until the repairs have been done.
Professor Lawrence said the historic building was significant for Canberra and the council would be seeking more information because ''it shouldn't get to this stage''.
''We're in a position to give advice to the minister about the priority that should be given. You know, this is an important building, it's listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List and it seems to be in some danger, and the longer they leave it, the worse it will get,'' she said.
''It sounds like they haven't been paying enough attention to it, which is a bit disappointing because the various heritage strategies that departments are required to not only sign off on, but implement, are meant to prevent this kind of thing happening. So we'll be asking the question specifically about this place, the John Gorton Building, but also the process and whether someone has taken their eye off the ball.''
The Abbott government is so far remaining silent on the challenges facing the heritage building.
Special Minister of State Senator Michael Ronaldson would not comment on whether he was concerned about the building's risk to staff and the public or about the likelihood of more funding for the work. Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann also did not comment.
A spokeswoman for the National Capital Authority said it would wait until it received an application for the works before commenting.
