Documents obtained under Freedom of Information provisions show that the Asbestos Support Group – largely made of homeowners coming together in the wake of the $100 million Commonwealth government clean-up of affected homes between 1988-1993 – waged a concerted campaign to have all references to remnant amosite fibres remaining in cleaned homes removed from government certification.

This was ultimately overruled by the Kaine Liberal government at the time, but conversely, the government also pulled back from publishing far greater health warnings on Mr Fluffy homes as recommended by the ACT government solicitor's office in direct response to the issue.

The government solicitor not only overruled the support group's call for a blanket assurance that homes were safe, but delivered clear advice to the government that "it is not possible to remove all asbestos fibres. Trace or residual fibres will remain … We cannot give any assurance that there can be no risk in the future of airborne fibres being present."

This advice was not made public at the time – nearly 25 years before independent asbestos testing would confirm the widespread migration of class-1 carcinogenic fibres into the living spaces of more than 600 of the 1021 Canberra homes which were remediated for Mr Fluffy.

In 1991, the Asbestos Support Group made several formal representations to the government, lobbying the then Urban Services and Housing minister, Craig Duby, to intervene on the issue.

Homeowners argued that their homes needed to be categorically declared as safe based both on their own assurances that the Commonwealth removal program would clean the homes to an exacting standard, but also because anything less than a full declaration of safety would cause "hardship and financial loss to those who wish to dispose of the residence", according to a letter from the group to Mr Duby, which also went to the then Health minister Gary Humphries.

A Canberra Times analysis of sales records and Mr Fluffy data last year revealed a mass of homeowners who lived through the clean-up sought to sell their homes as soon as possible.

About 300 Mr Fluffy homes sold in the three years from 1992 to 1994, as the clean-up drew to a close and immediately after. In 1992, 113 Mr Fluffy homes were sold – more than in any year since.

In 1991, the support group was so concerned about the impact of health warnings on their resale value that they sought ministerial intervention after failing to convince the Asbestos Branch (handling the removal program) to include a paragraph in the clearance certificate to the effect that "following asbestos removal there is no known asbestos related health hazards involved in living in the subject residence".

The group said it understood there was reluctance from government medical authorities to commit themselves.

"This reluctance is not understood. When the asbestos survey was first carried out a pamphlet entitled 'Asbestos Insulation in ACT Homes' was issued to those affected. It stated that once the ceilings of contaminated houses have been sealed the houses will be safe to live in. This statement coupled with the fact that the federal and territory government have spent a large sum of money on asbestos removal leads to the conclusion that most or all of the health risks must have been considered to be eliminated or greatly reduced by the program."

Previous information revealed by The Canberra Times through Freedom of Information provisions showed the CSIRO inspected the remediated houses halfway through the original $100 million clean-up and suggested they be knocked down because of the amount of fibres remaining in wall cavities and subfloors. But the Follett Labor government – which preceded the Kaine government – rejected the recommendation based on cost.

In an official minute to Mr Duby from the City Operations Branch to brief him on homeowner concerns, it was noted that "Advice has been sought from legal and health authorities which concludes that it is impossible to state categorically that inhabitants are no longer at any risk of exposure to asbestos fibres as little scientific evidence exists regarding the development of asbestos related diseases in people exposed to only small amounts of the material".

In relation to the blunt warning by the government solicitor of the potential for remnant fibres to escape containment, the then manager of the City Operations Branch, Ron Murray, noted "While this is a statement of fact, it would clearly be unacceptable to clients as a guarantee of the safety of their properties and could in no way be seen as an encouragement to a potential buyer".

He also noted "numerous attempts have been made at determining suitable wording for a letter for clients which does not give any categorical assurances in this regard".

While the support group wanted certification to show prospective buyers their homes were safe, there was "no legal requirement for any such certification. However, it is in the government's interests to provide some form of assurance to clients simply on a public relations basis," Mr Murray said.

The wording on the certificate of removal did not end up changing dramatically despite the debate, stating in small letters "Residual fibres may still be present in the wall cavities of the building. Prior approval of the Building Controller is to be obtained for any building work involving the alteration or removal of internal wall sheeting or external brickwork. It may be necessary for a licensed asbestos removalist to attend this work".

It was not until October of last year that the ACT government bowed to public and expert pressure to declare all Mr Fluffy homes would have to be demolished in a $1 billion government buyback and demolition program which will be concluded by 2020.