The Mr Fluffy asbestos buy-back and demolition scheme will be discussed at the highest levels of federal government next week, a spokesman for Employment Minister Eric Abetz has confirmed, and a decision is expected soon after.
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The ACT is awaiting a decision by the Commonwealth on how much of the cost of the clean-up it will bear, while families continue in limbo, some forced to live in hotels and other temporary accommodation, and all of them unsure when or even whether their homes will be demolished.
ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher wants the Commonwealth to share the cost on a two-for-one basis (two parts federal, one territory), reveals an agreement signed when the 1000 houses were cleaned 20 years ago.
Mr Abetz's spokesman said the issue was expected to be discussed at prime ministerial level and perhaps go to Cabinet next week. The Commonwealth was committed to dealing with it "as expediently as possible", he said.
Ms Gallagher said on Monday the buy-back and demolition was expected to leave a net cost to the government of about $300 million, after any profits from the resale of clean land had been taken into account. She added it was only an estimate.
