Annual Report
2013-14
Towards an
asbestos-free Australia
Page 1
ISSN 2204-1419 [print]
ISSN 2204-1427 [online]
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document is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence
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The document must be attributed as the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Annual Report 2013–14.
Access and further information
The Australian Government aims to provide services that are fair, easy to access and simple to use and respond to
the cultural and linguistic needs of Australia’s diverse society. For assistance with accessing the annual report, to
request a copy (print or electronic), make an enquiry or comment, please contact the agency at:
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
Attention: Communications Manager
GPO Box 9880
Sydney NSW 2001
Email: enquiries@asbestossafety.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 079
Web: www.asbestossafety.gov.au
Connect with the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency via social media:
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Page 2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Letter of Transmittal ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Section 1: Agency overview ................................................................................................................................... 6
Chief Executive Officer review................................................................................................................................... 6
The Agency................................................................................................................................................................ 7
National Strategic Plan ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Table 1: 2013-14 at a glance .................................................................................................................................. 13
Section 2: the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council ........................................................................................14
Section 3: Report on performance .......................................................................................................................19
Delivering the National Strategic Plan - 2013-14 highlights ................................................................................... 19
Case study 1 ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
NSP Strategic goal one: Awareness ........................................................................................................................ 21
NSP Strategic goal two: Best practice ..................................................................................................................... 22
NSP Strategic goal three: Identification .................................................................................................................. 23
NSP Strategic goal four: Removal ........................................................................................................................... 24
NSP Strategic goal five: Research ........................................................................................................................... 25
NSP Strategic goal six: International leadership ..................................................................................................... 26
Trends in asbestos awareness and management ................................................................................................... 26
Section 4: Additional work or ministerial directions .............................................................................................28
Section 5: Future directions..................................................................................................................................29
Section 6: Management & accountability .............................................................................................................32
Corporate governance ............................................................................................................................................ 32
External scrutiny ..................................................................................................................................................... 33
Management of human resources .......................................................................................................................... 33
Mandatory reporting .............................................................................................................................................. 35
Section 7: Financial statements ............................................................................................................................39
Overview of financial performance ......................................................................................................................... 39
Independent auditors report ................................................................................................................................... 40
Statement by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer ........................................................................... 42
Financial statements ............................................................................................................................................... 43
Page 3
Appendices ..........................................................................................................................................................74
Agency speaking engagements .............................................................................................................................. 74
National Asbestos Exposure Register...................................................................................................................... 77
Glossary ...............................................................................................................................................................84
Index ....................................................................................................................................................................85
Page 4
Letter of Transmittal
Senator the Hon Eric Abetz
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Employment
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
PO Box 6100, Senate
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Minister
It is my pleasure to present to you the annual report of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency for
the 2013–14 year.
The report has been prepared in accordance with section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999 and section
45 of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Act 2013, which requires the agency to submit a
report to the Minister on its operations for the year ending 30 June 2014. The report must be submitted
as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, for presentation to Parliament.
The report contains the financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2014. These statements were
prepared in accordance with the Finance Minister’s orders and as required by section 49 of the Financial
Management and Accountability Act 1997. The financial statements also accord with applicable
accounting standards.
I certify that the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency has a fraud control plan in place which
complies with the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines.
Yours sincerely
Mr Peter Tighe
Chief Executive Officer
3 October 2014
Page 5
Section 1: Agency overview
Chief Executive Officer review
It has been a significant first year of operations for the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
Since coming into existence on 1 July 2013, the agency has built policies and processes to support the
objectives of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Act 2013 and the goals and outcomes in the
National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management. I’d like to thank the staff seconded to
the Office of Asbestos Safety for laying the groundwork for the establishment of the new agency and the
development of the National Strategic Plan.
The key achievements of the agency to date include:
 effective management of the independent field monitors for the National Taskforce – Asbestos
Safety in Telstra Infrastructure
 commencement of the National Asbestos Exposure Register to monitor the community’s
awareness of potential exposure risks and increase knowledge of residential asbestos exposure
risks
 creation and management of a database of licensed asbestos disposal facilities across Australia
 initiation of a baseline survey of community awareness of asbestos and its associated risks
 revision of the national strategic plan and increased awareness about the risks of asbestoscontaining materials in the community.
Since coming on board as CEO in August 2013, I have undertaken extensive engagement through
attendance at meetings, consultations and Senate Estimates hearings in addition to presenting at
numerous conferences on behalf of the agency. This engagement supports awareness raising of the
risks posed by ageing asbestos-containing material in the built environment.
One major piece of work was to review the existing national strategic plan and finalise a new plan for
the period 2014 to 2018. This review was initiated by a request from the Minister for Employment,
Senator the Hon Eric Abetz, whose commitment to a national consensus on the issue of asbestos
awareness and management saw the opportunity for further consultation with Australian Government
agencies and the states and territories. While revising the national strategic plan, the agency has been
able to lay the building blocks for the new plan with commissioning research and awareness initiatives
that will support the objectives of the plan when it is finalised.
The Australian Government has expressed its commitment to dealing with the legacy issues relating to
asbestos and asbestos awareness and management and I am confident the agency will continue to
deliver the objectives of the ASEA Act and the national strategic plan to reduce asbestos-related
diseases in Australia. I look forward to working with the agency staff, council, the Australian
Government and all stakeholders in implementing the national strategic plan over the 2014-15 year.
Peter Tighe
Chief Executive Officer
Page 6
The Agency
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (the agency) is a statutory authority established to provide
a national focus on asbestos issues that go beyond workplace safety to encompass environmental and
public health issues.
The agency came into existence on 1 July 2013 through the enactment of the Asbestos Safety and
Eradication Agency Act 2013 (the ASEA Act). Section 8 of the ASEA Act sets out the following functions
of the agency:
a) to encourage, coordinate, monitor and report on the implementation of the National Strategic
Plan;
b) to review and amend the National Strategic Plan as required by the National Strategic Plan or at
the request of the Minister;
c) to publish and promote the National Strategic Plan;
d) to provide advice to the Minister about asbestos safety, if requested to do so by the Minister;
e) to liaise with Commonwealth, State, Territory, local and other governments, agencies or bodies
about:
i. the implementation, review or amendment of the National Strategic Plan; or
ii. asbestos safety;
f)
to commission, monitor and promote research about asbestos safety;
g) such other functions as are conferred on the Agency by or under this Act, the rules or any other
law of the Commonwealth;
h) to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the above functions.
The Agency is responsible through its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to the Minister for Employment and
for financial purposes, operated under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997
(FMA Act) for the 2013-14 year and the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) for staffing purposes.
The Chief Executive Officer
Mr Peter Tighe has been CEO of the agency since August 2013. Mr Tighe was
National Secretary of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union from
1995 to 2013, National Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union and Executive
Member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 1991 to 2013. He was
Chair of E-Oz Energy Skills Australia, E-Profiling Pty Ltd and the National Electrical
and Electronic Industry Training Council and a trustee/board member of CBUS
Superannuation. Mr Tighe has extensive experience in workplace health and
safety issues and in tackling the hazards of asbestos-containing materials.
Page 7
History
In 2010, a wide-ranging review was established by the Australian Government to make
recommendations for the development of a National Strategic Plan to improve asbestos management in
Australia. The review encompassed asbestos management issues beyond work health and safety to
include environmental and public health issues. The review also looked at issues including education and
public awareness, removal, transport and disposal of asbestos.
The Asbestos Management Review Report (AMR Report) released in August 2012 recommended the
development of a National Strategic Plan to improve asbestos awareness and management in the
broader community. The review recommended that an independent national agency be established to
guide the implementation of the plan.
The Office of Asbestos Safety (the office) was established in September 2012 to start this work. The
office worked closely with state and territory governments as well as key stakeholder organisations to
develop the National Strategic Plan.
The office was replaced with the agency on 1 July 2013 by the creation of the ASEA Act. The agency and
council are tasked with implementing the plan.
Outcome and programme structure
The agency came into existence on 1 July 2013 through the enactment of the ASEA Act and therefore
does not have a specific Portfolio Budget Statement for agency operations for the 2013-14 year. The
agency is referred to in the 2013-14 portfolio budget statement for Department of Education,
Employment and Workplace Relations which covers the reasons for the establishment of the agency and
its intended functions. However, it does not set an outcome structure to report against.
Page 8
National Strategic Plan
Under the ASEA Act, one of the primary functions of the agency is to encourage, coordinate, monitor
and report on the implementation of the National Strategic Pan. The plan marks a historic step in
Australia becoming the first nation to progress towards the ultimate elimination of asbestos-related
diseases.
The National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2013 – 2018 (the plan) was
released on 31 July 2013. In developing the plan, the findings and recommendations of the Asbestos
Management Review (2012) were considered. The plan is the first of its kind and prescribes a national
approach to asbestos eradication, handling and awareness in Australia. The plan’s aim is to prevent
exposure to asbestos fibres in order to eliminate asbestos-related disease in Australia.
The plan was developed in consultation with the Australian Government, the state and territory
governments, local government and a range of non-government stakeholders. It is a high level
document that establishes a framework within which the states and territories work both cooperatively
and independently to achieve set objectives.
In accordance with section 45 of the ASEA Act, the plan will be supported by annual operational plans
which will be approved by the Minister and will be published on the agency website, along with
operational plans and annual reports in accordance with legislative requirements.
Page 9
Figure 1: Stakeholder engagement and coordination map
Minister for
Employment
states,
territories and
local
government
Industry
stakeholders
and resentatives
Asbestos Safety
and Eradication
Council
ASEA
Department of
Employment
and Shared
Services
CEO & Staff
temporary
advisory groups
and s24 subcommittees of
the ASEA Act
NGOs, asbestos
disease
advocacy
groups
employee
representatives
Stakeholder engagement and coordination
The agency has a strong focus on consultation and coordination to support diverse stakeholder groups
involved in asbestos issues. The diagram below indicates some of the primary stakeholder groups that
the agency works with in delivering its functions under Section 8 of the ASEA Act to provide advice to
the Minister about asbestos safety and the implementation of the National Strategic Plan.
Page 10
Redraft of the National Strategic Plan
In October 2013, the Minister for Employment wrote to the agency requesting that the National
Strategic Plan be reviewed to ensure that all states and territories endorse the outcomes of the plan.
This triggered a process of consultation with government, industry, and employee representatives to
achieve greater consensus and to reflect diverse stakeholder views it acts as a national vehicle for
asbestos awareness and management.
The intent of the plan, agency and council is to coordinate complimentary efforts to reduce the impact
of asbestos-related disease through asbestos management and awareness. This requires participation
and cooperation across portfolios and the states and territories.
The goals of the initial plan were laudable and received support as a worthwhile ambition for Australia
to work towards. The plan was released in July 2013 prior to seeking endorsement from the states and
territories. Concerns were raised about the practicality of removing all high risk asbestos from
government and commercial buildings by 2030 without clear costing, information and analysis of how
this was to be achieved without increasing risks to the community through unsafe removal practices.
Feedback indicated some deliverables risked creating duplication, increased costs, or regulatory burden.
Stakeholders also suggested a clearer focus on support for the residential sector would be beneficial due
to a rise in exposure from home renovations.
The agency worked with the states and territories, and other Australian Government departments and
agencies impacted by the goals and outcomes of the plan and incorporated their feedback into the
revised plan.
Through a number of meetings and correspondence over several months, the agency produced a
revised National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness 2014-2018. The agency
incorporated feedback from all stakeholders and refined the outcomes and deliverables. The result is a
more realistic plan that establishes the building blocks for preventing exposure to asbestos fibres and
sets the nation on a path to eliminating asbestos-related diseases.
In June 2014, the agency released the draft revised plan to the states and territories, council and
stakeholders for comments. The key changes were:

The introduction of a phased approach to the delivery of the plan. The revised plan covers the
first phase (2014-2018) and will deliver the preparatory work to inform later phases, including a
focus on evidence development, and identifying tools to grade the condition of asbestoscontaining materials in the built environment.

Identifying work to be undertaken in the first phase to enable accurate estimates of the extent
of Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) in the built environment and potential increased risks
and costs which may be involved in national removal programmes.

The target of removal of asbestos by 2030 to be an aspirational aim that reflects the
submissions to the Asbestos Management Review (2012) and not a deadline.
Feedback supported the clear phased approach and the need for a national coordinated approach to
asbestos management and awareness that focuses on practical solutions. The revised plan focuses on
reducing the risks posed by asbestos in the built environment through a coordinated effort between the
states and territories.
Page 11
As asbestos-containing materials continue to age, it is expected their condition will deteriorate and
require increased monitoring to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres; which will increase the costs to
government, industry and the community. The activities delivered under the plan will seek to minimise
this burden and provide evidence to reduce the likelihood of risks increasing and to identify costeffective approaches.
Page 12
Table 1: 2013-14 at a glance
13 June 2014
Seventh Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council convened with
Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Eric Abetz attending
06 June 2014
Draft National Strategic Plan sent to the states and territories and
Interdepartmental Committee stakeholders for comment as part of
consultation
29 May 2014
Sixth Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council convened to discuss
the draft revised National Strategic Plan
1 May 2014
Fifth Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council convened
April 2014
Mesothelioma sufferer, Lou Williams attends Asbestos Disease
Awareness Organization conference in the United states,
supported by the agency
21 March 2014
Conclusion of the independent monitors project as part of the
National Taskforce: Asbestos Safety in Telstra Infrastructure
13 February 2014
Fourth Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council convened
17-18 March 2014
Consultation meetings with states and territories and Australian
Government departments/agencies regarding revised National
Strategic Plan
26 November 2013
Third Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council convened
25 November 2013
First National Asbestos Forum jointly held by the agency and
Comcare
24 October 2013
Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Eric Abetz gives
direction to the agency to review the National Strategic Plan and
consult more widely with the states and territories and the
Interdepartmental Committee
24 September 2013
Agency tasked with coordination of independent monitors by the
National Taskforce: Asbestos Safety in Telstra Infrastructure
3 October 2013
3 September 2013
21 August 2013
Second Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council convened
First meeting of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
convened
New CEO Peter Tighe commences with the agency
31 July 2013
Australian Government released the National Strategic Plan for
Awareness and Management 2013-2018 and announced funding of
$6.4 million for the Agency to implement it.
1 July 2013
Establishment of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency and
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Page 13
Section 2: the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Message from Chair of the Council
It was my pleasure to be the Chair of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council for 2013-14. Since
being established on 1 July 2013, the agency has provided a national focus on asbestos awareness
across the entire Australian community.
A range of deadly asbestos-related diseases may be contracted as a result of breathing in tiny airborne
fibres. Sadly, Australia has one of the world’s highest incidences of asbestos-related disease and death.
In addition to occupational exposures, almost all homes built between 1945 and the late 1980s are likely
to contain asbestos. While the use of building products containing asbestos has been banned since the
late 1980s, there remains an enormous legacy issue of asbestos contamination in the built environment
for all levels of government, industry and the community to manage into the future.
The establishment of an independent national agency to improve asbestos awareness and management
was a key recommendation arising from the Asbestos Management Review (AMR) 2012. Following
widespread consultation with stakeholders, Australian Government bodies and the states and
territories, the agency came into existence with the passage of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication
Agency Act 2013. The legislation received bipartisan support from all members of the House of
Representatives and senators.
Another key recommendation from the Asbestos Management Review was for a National Strategic Plan
for asbestos awareness and management based on the principles and recommendations contained in
the Review’s report and reflected in the ASEA Act. Released in July 2013, the National Strategic Plan for
Asbestos Awareness and Management 2013-2018 is the first of its kind in Australia and prescribes a
comprehensive set of national goals and outcomes for asbestos awareness, handling and eradication.
The nine Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council members were selected for their experience and
expertise in asbestos safety, public health, corporate governance or community advocacy. The council
met on seven occasions during the year in review and worked through the many varied issues of
establishing the agency and revising the plan.
Australia is recognised as a world leader in dealing with legacy issues relating to our use of asbestos.
But we cannot be complacent as thousands of people are predicted to die from asbestos-related
diseases in the next 20 years. We all must work together to implement practical and effective plans to
build awareness of the dangers of asbestos and reduce the risk of exposure.
The council looks forward to working constructively with all levels of government, the agency and
stakeholders to further the critically important work of implementing the National Strategic Plan for
Asbestos Awareness and Management.
Geoff Fary
Chair of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Page 14
Functions of Council
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council (the council), like the agency, was established by the
assent of the ASEA Act.
The council is made up of a Chair and nine members who have been selected for their experience and
expertise with asbestos safety, public health, corporate governance or the representation of people
with asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) and their families. One position is reserved for an Australian
Government representative and four positions reserved for state, territory and local government
representatives.
Section 29(1) of the ASEA Act sets out the functions of the council in providing guidance to the agency
through the CEO. These functions include:
(a) to provide advice, and make recommendations, to the CEO about the performance of the
Agency’s functions, on its own initiative or at the request of the CEO; and
(b) to provide advice to the Minister about asbestos safety; and
(c) to monitor the implementation of the National Strategic Plan by Commonwealth, State,
Territory and local governments; and
(d) to provide advice, and make recommendations, about the National Strategic Plan and annual
operational plans.
The council may issue written guidelines to the CEO about the performance of the agency’s functions
but they must not be inconsistent with any directions given under section 14 governing ministerial
directions to the CEO.
The Minister may give written directions to the council about the performance of the council’s functions
and the council must comply with these directions.
Back row: Peter Dunphy, Peter Tighe (CEO), Ian Gardner, Mark McCabe, Geoff Fary (Chair), Rob Walters.
Front row: Michael Borowick, Lex McCulloch, Carolyn Davis, Tracey Browne, Tanya Segelov, Barry Robson.
Page 15
Council members
Chair
Mr Geoff Fary MAICD FAIM was Chair of the Australian Asbestos Management
Review between 2010 and 2012. Prior to this he was Assistant Secretary of the
Australian Council of Trade Unions for 3 years. Mr Fary has also held positions as
Executive Director of the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and
Managers, Australia (APESMA) and National Vice President of the Industrial
Relations Society, Australia and a number of other senior corporate and
government roles. His former board memberships and directorships include
George Weston Foods Limited, Australian Employee Buyout Centre, APESMA
Lawyers Pty Ltd, Victorian Government Purchasing Board, Safe Work Australia,
Defence Reserves Support National Council and Commissioner for the Australian
Safety and Compensation Commission. He is a member of the Australian Institute
of Company Directors and the current Chairman of the Australian Institute of
Management (Vic/Tas).
Members
Dr Ian R Gardner has been Senior Physician in Occupational and Environmental
Medicine at the Department of Defence since 2010. Between 1998 and 2010 he
was a Consultant Occupational Physician in private practice and prior to that held
positions including Program Director, Health Safety and Environment
Management at IBM Asia Pacific; Medical Officer for NSW, ICI Australia;
Occupational Physician, Alcoa of Australia; and Medical Superintendent at
Clermont District Hospital. Dr Gardner is Chairman of the Independent Health
Review Panel of the New South Wales (NSW) Public Service Commission and a
Councillor of the Specialist Medical Review Council. His former board
memberships include the Workers Compensation and Occupational Health and
Safety Council of NSW and HealthQuest, NSW. Dr Gardner holds a Bachelor of
Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Queensland, a Masters
degree in Public Health from the University of Sydney, and is a Fellow of the
Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine of the Royal
Australasian College of Physicians.
Mr Peter Dunphy has been Director of Operations, Work Health and Safety
Division of WorkCover NSW since 2011. Prior to this he held various senior
management positions in WorkCover NSW including Director, Specialist Services
Group, senior technical and policy roles, Acting Manager, Scientific Services
Branch, Scientific Advisor and Coordinator of the Asbestos Regulation Unit. His
board memberships include Chair of Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities
Working Group, the Asbestos Education Committee and the Demolition and
Asbestos Consultative Committee.
Page 16
Mr Mark McCabe is Work Safety Commissioner and Senior Director of
WorkSafe ACT. His previous positions have included Manager, Workplace Injury
Performance, ACT Chief Minister’s Department, Project Manager, ACT Safety First
Project, New South Wales State Manager and then General Manager of Comcare.
He is Chair or the Asbestos Regulators Forum and a member and former Chair of
the ACT Work Safety Council. Mr McCabe is an Honorary Fellow of the Safety
Institute of Australia.
Mr Lex McCulloch has been Commissioner and Executive Director, WorkSafe
Western Australia (WA) since 2011. Prior to this he was Assistant Commissioner,
Youth Justice Services, WA. His previous positions include Acting Deputy
Commissioner, Offender Management and Professional Development,
Department of Corrective Services, WA, Acting Director General, Department of
Indigenous Affairs, WA and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Pilbara Development
Commission. He is a member of the Commission for Occupational Health and
Safety.
Dr Robert Walters is a General Medical Practitioner, Part-Time Member of the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Colonel in the Royal Australian Army Medical
Corps. He is also a medico-legal advisor and case manager, Medical Indemnity
Protection Society and a workers’ compensation medical advisor to a number of
insurance companies. Dr Walters has been a General Practice Consultant to the
Surgeon General, Australian Defence Force (ADF) since 1995 and has held
positions in the ADF as a Senior Medical Officer, Director of Medical Services
(Tasmania Region) and Military Compensation Adviser for Tasmania. His board
memberships include Chair, Ministerial Asbestos Steering Committee, Medical
Member of WorkSafe Tasmania Board, Headspace and Chair of the General
Practice Consultative Group, ADF.
Mr Michael Borowick has been Assistant Secretary, Australian Council of Trade
Unions since 2010. Prior to this he has held various elected and other positions in
the Australian Workers’ Union and its predecessor organisations. Mr Borowick is a
member of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, National
Workplace Relations Consultative Council, Safe Work Australia, Defence Industry
Innovation Board, and the Defence Reserves Support Council.
Ms Tracey Browne has been Manager, National Safety and Workers
Compensation Policy and Membership Services, Australian Industry Group (AI
Group) since 2007. Between 2006 and 2007 she was AI Group’s National Program
Manager, Small Business Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Advisers Program
and from 2001 to 2007 she was a Principal Adviser, Workers Compensation and
OHS. Her former positions also include Group Manager, Health Safety &
Environment, Bendix Mintex Pty Ltd, Coordinator, Occupational Health &
Safety/Personnel, ACI Glass Packaging and Senior Consultant, Occupational Health
& Safety, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
Page 17
Mr Barry Robson has been President of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of
Australia since 2003 and was a delegate between 1995 and 2003. From 1995 to
2003 he was also Assistant Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia and prior to that
a Councillor of Blacktown City Council, NSW. Mr Robson is currently President of
the Blacktown and Mt Druitt Cardiac Support Group, Director of the Asbestos
Diseases Research Foundation and a member of the National Asbestos Taskforce.
Ms Tanya Segelov has been a Partner at Turner Freeman Lawyers since 2000 and
is an expert in asbestos and legal issues. Since 1996 Ms Segelov has represented
hundreds of asbestos claimants in courts throughout Australia including acting for
the late Bernie Banton in both his claims against James Hardie. She also acted pro
bono for the Unions and Asbestos Groups in the James Hardie Inquiry. Ms Segelov
is a former member of the Asbestos Management Review Advisory Group.
Observer
Ms Carolyn Davis is Manager of Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation
(WHS & C) for the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). She has
held senior roles in major Australian companies and in academia as well as
running her own consultancy for many years in the area of industrial chemistry
and occupational hygiene. Carolyn’s skills and experience also include
occupational health and safety and worker’s compensation policy, management in
small and large businesses, mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
Professional memberships include the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI),
the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) and the Association of
Dispute Resolvers (LEADR).
Table 2: Council meetings and attendance
Geoff Fary
Ian Gardner
Peter Dunphy
Mark McCabe
Lex McCulloch
Rob Walters
Michael Borowick
Tracey Browne
Barry Robson
Tanya Segelov
Carolyn Davis*
03/09/13
03/10/13
29/11/13
13/02/14
01/05/14
29/05/14
13/06/14
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
A
P
P
P
A
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
A
A
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
T
T
P
P
P
A
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P – Present
A – Apologies
T – Telephone
* Observer, commenced attendance 01/05/14
Page 18
Section 3: Report on performance
Delivering the National Strategic Plan - 2013-14 highlights
The National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2013-2018 was developed by the
agency predecessor, the Office of Asbestos Safety in the second half of the 2012-13 financial year in
readiness for the establishment of the agency.
As outlined in section one of this report, the National Strategic Plan has six key strategy areas for
preventing exposure to asbestos fibres in order to eliminate asbestos- related disease in Australia. These
strategy areas in turn established goals and outcomes to guide the agency in its ongoing work.
The plan was developed in consultation with the Australian Government, the states and territories and
local government and a range of non-government stakeholders. It is a high level document that
establishes a framework within which the states and territories work both cooperatively and
independently to achieve set objectives.
The agency specific achievements in implementing the plan are outlined below.
Establishment of agency and council secretariat
The agency formally commenced operation on 1 July 2013 following the assent of the ASEA Act. Prior to
this, the functions of the agency were being administered by the Office of Asbestos Safety within the
former Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
The council was also established with the assent of the ASEA Act to provide advice and guidance to the
CEO about the agency’s functions and on the delivery of the National Strategic Plan. The agency
provides secretariat support to the Chair and council members to ensure the council fulfils its legislative
functions effectively.
Page 19
Case study 1
Louise ‘Lou’ Williams
Australian National Director, Global Ban Asbestos Network
“Please hear my voice. I would not wish this painful and aggressive
cancer on anyone. Those nearly invisible fibres have devastated my
family, my friends, my community, and me.”
Lou Williams
Lou Williams is a mother, grandmother, wife and a mesothelioma sufferer. Lou came into contact with
the deadly fibre as a child and she never knew her fate would follow her father’s footsteps who at 54
years old, died in 1985 of pleural mesothelioma.
In 2003, aged just 48 years old, Lou was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused
cancer. As she began to heal from surgeries and chemotherapy, mesothelioma spread to the pleura of
her lungs in 2009. She is going through her fourth round of chemotherapy in late 2014.
Lou says that mesothelioma is a death sentence for the person diagnosed and their family. Asbestos
tumours are likened to barb wire and eventually join up into like a mass of hard concrete in the linings
and suffocate the organs making breathing painful. It literally takes your breath away.
As The Global Ban Asbestos Network (GBAN) Australian National Director, Lou has been a strong
advocate for the sufferers of asbestos-related diseases and their families and for greater awareness of
the dangers of asbestos to prevent people from being exposed in the future.
“My story is only one of thousands of stories out there where families have suffered and have
been torn apart by this insidious substance. My pain and knowledge, has spurred me on to
advocate for the sufferers of asbestos-related diseases and their families and for greater
awareness of the dangers of asbestos and prevent people from being exposed in the future.”
Lou Williams
In April 2014, Lou was invited to attend the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation (ADAO) 10th
International Asbestos Awareness Conference where she received an award for her advocacy and
support to other sufferers and their families.
Page 20
NSP Strategic goal one: Awareness
Stakeholder engagement and communications
The agency and council sees the need for effective engagement and communication with the many
varied stakeholders as vital in delivering the National Strategic Plan and advancing asbestos
management and awareness.
In collaboration with Comcare, the agency held the National Asbestos Forum on 25 November 2013,
hosting over 160 delegates in Sydney and a range of speakers discussing topics such as effective
asbestos disposal, risk management, medical research and treatment of asbestos-related diseases. This
event was a success for the agency and council in starting a national conversation about the need for
action regarding asbestos management and public health and provided valuable input into agency
projects and operations.
The success of the 2013 National Asbestos Forum and the need for more in depth discussion on some
issues raised at the forum led the agency to opt for an expanded conference style event in 2014. The
agency commenced organising the 1st International Conference on Asbestos Awareness and
Management in Melbourne on 17 and 18 November 2014. This conference will include renowned
international experts in asbestos management, health, advocacy and governance.
The agency also commenced work on improvements to the website to create a ‘one stop shop’ facility
for information, referrals and research covering all levels of government and the general public. The
website will be used to raise awareness about asbestos-related information and the agency’s role in
implementing the National Strategic Plan.
Baseline community awareness survey
A key component of developing strategies to raise awareness about asbestos management is to
determine the base level of knowledge that already exists in industry and the general community. The
agency engaged Colmar Brunton Market Research to undertake a baseline community awareness survey
to ascertain current levels of awareness about asbestos and the dangers it poses. The research targeted
four identified cohorts:
 Tradespeople (including apprentices and self-employed)
 DIY home renovators
 Real estate agents and landlords
 Members of the general community.
The findings from this research will be released in the 2014-15 year. It will be used to identify gaps in
knowledge and develop targeted guidance and materials to lift awareness levels, advocating for a
precautionary approach to be taken whenever activities may disturb asbestos material.
Page 21
Raising awareness
In line with key strategies in the National Strategic Plan, the CEO and senior staff of the agency have
participated in a range of activities to increase public awareness about the dangers of asbestos, and
advocated on behalf of the community in highlighting the risk. These activities included providing
comment to media outlets when requested.
A particular issue of concern that arose during the 2013-14 year was the loose-fill (Mr Fluffy) asbestos
contamination in residential housing in the ACT and NSW. WorkSafe ACT has stated that one company
operating in and around Canberra between 1968 and 1979 sold pure loose fill asbestos as ceiling
insulation for residential and commercial premises.
This resulted in over 1,000 residential properties being treated with loose-fill asbestos and an unknown
number of commercial premises being affected. There is also anecdotal information that more
companies were applying loose-fill asbestos products to residential housing in Sydney and across the
southern NSW regions.
While loose-fill asbestos is a unique product, this issue highlights how pervasive asbestos-containing
materials were over the decades following the Second World War. Further work is needed to identify
where other forms of asbestos is located, its condition and potential risks.
NSP Strategic goal two: Best practice
Strengthening asbestos training in the utilities sector
The agency commenced work on a project to improve asbestos training in the utilities sector during the
2013-14 year in line with the best practice goal of the National Strategic Plan. This project was a result of
the taskforce review process put in place following incidences of inappropriate handling and removal of
asbestos-containing materials during the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in 2013.
The goal of the project is to produce a model best practice training package for the utilities sector to
strengthen asbestos management practices and reduce current risks of workers and members of the
public being exposed to asbestos fibres. The project will also have a secondary benefit of raising
awareness within the utilities sector in regards to the risks posed by ACMs and the safe work methods
of mitigating this risk.
A steering committee and technical advisory group has been established to inform the work of the
project and ensure that any training documentation that is developed is best practice, practical and
implementable. These bodies include key stakeholders in the utilities sector as well as the states and
territories through a representative nominated by the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA).
Page 22
NSP Strategic goal three: Identification
Risk assessment and identification tool pilot
To advance identification methods in line with National Strategic Plan goal three, the agency worked in
collaboration with WorkSafe Tasmania to test a range of asbestos identification tools to assess and
grade the condition of asbestos-containing materials in the built environment. The project aims to
identify the most effective and user-friendly tool for use in Australia by ensuring that testing is
controlled and occurs across a range of settings.
The project commenced in the second half of 2013 with a memorandum of understanding being
reached between the agency and WorkSafe Tasmania. The project governance structure was established
to provide expert advice and project guidance.
The project will continue into the 2014-15 financial year with the finalisation of participating tools,
approval of the assessment criteria and testing methodology, field work and reporting components.
Rapid response protocol to prevent asbestos importation
While Australia has banned the use and importation of asbestos-containing products, inconsistent
international practices including unreliable certification that a product is asbestos-free, continues to
pose a risk.
The agency has collaborated with the HWSA Imported Materials Working Group to examine compliance
and enforcement approaches in respect of imported materials that contain asbestos.
During 2013-2014, the agency drafted a rapid response protocol with the participants of the working
group. This will enable government agencies to work cooperatively and efficiently across jurisdiction and
portfolio lines when products have been identified as containing asbestos and there is concern such
products may have crossed state lines.
Page 23
NSP Strategic goal four: Removal
Database of disposal facilities
A key piece of work undertaken in 2013-14 aligning with the identification strategy of the National
Strategic Plan was a project to map the location and details of waste disposal facilities around Australia
that accept asbestos waste.
Feedback from a number of key stakeholders had highlighted the problem of locating a licenced
asbestos disposal site close to their home or business. The effect of this is often either inaction,
stockpiling of asbestos-containing materials or the illegal dumping of asbestos-containing materials in
publicly accessible areas. These are factors which increase the risk of inadvertent exposure to asbestos
fibres.
This database will contribute to dealing with these problems and will be reviewed regularly to ensure
the information it provides remains contemporary and useful to the community.
The project was undertaken in conjunction with GeoScience Australia and provides a portal through
which users can search for their nearest disposal facility via a specific street address. The search function
is available on the agency's website at http://asbestossafety.gov.au/search-disposal-facilities.
Page 24
NSP Strategic goal five: Research
National Asbestos Exposure Register
The National Asbestos Exposure Register (NAER) was announced on 7 June 2013 by the Australian
Government to ensure there is a record of potential exposure in case an individual develops an
asbestos-related disease in the future.
The NAER captures details including where and when the potential exposure occurred and details of any
diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases. The register provides the agency with a statistical analysis of
potential or actual exposure events across Australia and allows the agency to remain informed about
potential risks are identified through registration trends.
A total of 1,060 people entered their details on to the NAER for the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June
2014. (See appendix 3 for a breakdown of statistics for this period)
The agency also implemented a new online registration system during the year achieving a more
accurate, streamlined function for the agency and registrant.
Baseline community awareness survey
As outlined above, the agency engaged Colmar Brunton Market Research to undertake a baseline
community awareness survey to ascertain current levels of awareness about asbestos and the dangers it
poses.
The results of this baseline awareness survey will provide valuable input into determining where the
gaps in research are and what research projects are required, particularly in the domestic built
environment.
A number of research articles over the past few years have examined the impact on asbestos exposure
in the domestic setting such as DIY home improvement and ‘third wave’ exposure in a non-occupational
setting. However, more work is required to understand the amount of asbestos remaining in the built
environment, and levels of exposure leading to diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases.
A similar survey will be repeated by the agency, potentially in the 2015-16 year, to measure success
against the awareness strategy contained in the National Strategic Plan.
Page 25
NSP Strategic goal six: International leadership
International Conference on Asbestos Awareness and Management
The success of the 2013 National Asbestos Forum and the need for more in depth discussion on some
issues raised at the forum led the agency to opt for an expanded conference style event in 2014. The
agency commenced organisation of the 1st International Conference on Asbestos Awareness and
Management in Melbourne on 17 and 18 November 2014.
This conference will include renowned international experts in asbestos management, health, advocacy
and governance, and will challenge delegates into thinking how Australia can drive change in our region
and globally when it comes to the continued manufacturing and distribution of asbestos-containing
materials. The conference aims to advance Australia’s leadership credentials in campaigning for a global
ban on the mining and production of asbestos.
The agency has also made connections with key Australian non-government organisations working
internationally with involvement in raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos, particularly in Asia
where the manufacturing of asbestos-containing materials is still rife.
Trends in asbestos awareness and management
The 2013-14 year was the first year of operation for the agency, and accordingly, data and information
to identify trends cannot be provided in this annual report.
Page 26
Case study 2
Stephen Wickham
Mesothelioma sufferer, a "third wave" victim of asbestos
“There must be thousands of people who open themselves to the same risk by
doing handyman work or home renovation work. If there's any way in the world
that this can help them, then that'll make it really worthwhile.”
Stephen Wickham
Stephen Wickham migrated to Australia with his wife and family to live the Australian dream and shortly
after that they purchased a property in Perth, Western Australia.
In 1994, Stephen commenced DIY renovations on their home, removing corrugated fibro sheeting from
the garage and replaced part of the fence which was made of the same material. He knew the dangers
of asbestos but was unaware that the fibro sheeting he was handling was made of asbestos and that he
was putting himself and his family at risk.
Nineteen years later, in 2013, the shock news of being diagnosed with mesothelioma saw him join the
ranks of "third wave" victims of asbestos, those who were exposed in a DIY renovator or domestic
setting, not as a result of their occupation.
Stephen initiated landmark proceedings in the NSW Dust Diseases Tribunal to highlight the increasing
number of non-occupational DIY handyman exposures that have taken place already and the potential
for more unnecessary exposures into the future.
The Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund agreed to settle the matter on the day when Stephen was to
take the stand and give evidence.
As the DIY home renovation market booms in Australia, Stephen’s case provides a timely warning to
people that if they own a home built before 1987, they will most likely encounter asbestos and they
must take all possible precautions to avoid exposing themselves and their family to deadly asbestos
dust.
“I was aware asbestos was dangerous, I was unaware that "fibro" contained asbestos”
Stephen Wickham
Page 27
Section 4: Additional work or ministerial directions
Coordination of independent monitors for Telstra infrastructure
Following a number of reported instances of the inappropriate handling and removal of ACMs during
the Telstra/NBN Co cabling rollout for the NBN, the National Taskforce – Asbestos Safety in Telstra
Infrastructure (National Taskforce) was established to monitor ongoing activities and prevent the
exposure of employees, contractors and the public to potential exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
One of the early decisions of the National Taskforce was to select 14 suitably experienced and qualified
independent monitors, who were jointly funded by Telstra and the NBN Co, and engaged by the agency.
The role of the independent monitors was to undertake random inspections of relevant works that may
have involved handling ACMs, to verify that work was being conducted in a way that ensures the safety
of employees, contractors, nearby residents and the general public.
In undertaking their duties, the independent monitors provided regular reports to the National
Taskforce, and engaged in day-to-day liaison and dialogue with all stakeholders including Telstra, the
NBN Co, principle contracting companies, contractors, and regulators such as Comcare.
During the relatively short period of their engagement, concluding on 21 March 2014, the independent
monitors undertook in excess of 500 site assessments involving more than 80 separate contractors.
Moreover, during the engagement of the independent monitors, there was no major incident reported
where there was evidence that workers or bystanders had again been exposed to airborne asbestos
fibres. Feedback from the independent monitors also indicated that a number of improvements in
asbestos-containing material procedures and processes occurred during the monitors’ activities
resulting in safer ACM removal.
Page 28
Section 5: Future directions
Revised National Strategic Plan
As stated in section one of this report, the agency was tasked by the Minister for Employment with
developing a revised National Strategic Plan for 2014-18 and beyond. This process has assisted the
agency to strengthen the National Strategic Plan and set in place ongoing consultation mechanisms with
government, industry and community stakeholder groups.
In 2014-15, the agency will release the revised plan, and facilitate the identification of annual targets to
achieve its outcomes. This will be undertaken in collaboration with states, territories and local
government, consultation with industry and employee representatives; and with the oversight of the
council.
Greater awareness of asbestos dangers
As outlined in section 3 of this report, the agency commissioned a baseline community awareness
survey to identify current levels of awareness about asbestos and the dangers it poses.
Initial results of the survey have shown that while there is a reasonable level of knowledge in the
general community about the dangers of asbestos, there is less confidence in being able to identify
where they or others may be at risk of exposure to asbestos. The results also show that there is less
awareness about the dangers of being exposed to asbestos in the 40 years of age or less cohort.
While not surprising, the results were of concern particularly around the lack of awareness among the
younger generation who are still at risk of exposure due to the prevalence of asbestos-containing
materials in the community but are less knowledgeable about the dangers this may cause.
The agency will now use the results of this survey to address the gaps in knowledge and tailor its
message to ensure a greater level of awareness about the dangers of asbestos into the future,
advocating for a precautionary approach to be taken whenever activities may disturb asbestos material.
A similar survey will be repeated by the agency in the 2015-16 year to measure success against the
awareness goals and outcomes contained in the National Strategic Plan.
1st International Conference on Asbestos Awareness and Management
During what is National Asbestos Awareness Month, the conference will challenge delegates to think
about how Australia can drive change in our region and globally and deliver change on the ground in the
community.
The conference will feature well renowned international experts in asbestos management, health,
advocacy and governance that will provide a stimulating and entertaining environment for delegates
and stakeholders to discuss the big issues facing them in raising awareness about the dangers of
asbestos in our work and domestic environment and how it can be managed into the future.
Page 29
Asbestos removal from remote Indigenous communities
During the 2013-14 year, the agency and council identified the issue of asbestos-containing materials in
regional and remote areas of Australia, particularly in housing stock, as a key concern that needs to be
addressed.
Due to its insulation qualities and relative inexpensiveness, asbestos-containing materials were used
widely throughout regional and remote communities in Australia, including in housing stock in remote
indigenous communities. Following discussion at the Council meeting on 13 June 2014, the Minister for
Employment has requested the agency target the challenges of ACM in remote Indigenous communities,
and identify opportunities to provide training and ongoing employment for local people.
Responding to the risks of asbestos importation
While Australia has banned the use and importation of asbestos-containing products, inconsistent
international practices including unreliable certification that a product is asbestos-free, continues to
pose a risk.
The agency has entered into discussions with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
(ACBPS) to develop a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies to determine protocols
for advice and assistance that will allow the ACBPS to protect the health and well-being of the Australian
community from asbestos-related materials. Once finalised, the memorandum of understanding will be
regularly reviewed to ensure it is responsive to ongoing changes in policy or regulatory amendments.
Strengthening asbestos training in utilities sector
As outlined in section three of this report, the agency is developing a project to strengthen asbestosrelated training in the utilities sector in line with the best practice goal of the National Strategic Plan.
The agency will continue to progress the project through the 2014-15 year, conducting pilot and testing
to ensure it is ready for voluntary adoption by organisations in the utilities sector.
Page 30
Case Study 3
NBN rollout: managing asbestos in Telstra infrastructure
During the course of the NBN rollout in 2013, there were a number of reported instances of
inappropriate handling and removal of ACMs, including reports of plastic bags filled with asbestos being
left in the open for a number of days near a Ballarat primary school. This led to concerns that the project
was posing a potential risk to the community regarding exposure to asbestos fibres.
Infrastructure in the telecommunications industry is often likely to contain asbestos and the vast nature
of the network makes it difficult to identify where the asbestos-containing material may be present. Due
to the risks associated with potential airborne asbestos fibres, guidelines state materials should be
contained in heavy duty polythene bags which are twisted tightly and have the neck folded over and
secured.
Once the waste has been removed from the asbestos removal work area, it should then either be placed
in secure storage for eventual disposal, or immediately removed from the site. There were concerns
these guidelines were not being followed and the community was placed at risk. Due to the number of
reports across Australia, and the potential health impacts for the community, there was a call for
immediate action.
In response, the Australian Government established the National Taskforce – Asbestos Safety in Telstra
Infrastructure. The role of the National Taskforce was to monitor ongoing activities-related to the
removal of asbestos from Telstra’s telecommunication infrastructure and improve procedures for
removing the ACMs in accordance with best practice supervision and training.
The National Taskforce, which included representation from the agency, engaged 14 independent
monitors across Australia to oversee the work in relation to the NBN cabling roll-out. The agency’s role
was to support the National Taskforce and coordinate the independent monitors.
The agency and monitors were able to work cooperatively with industry to identify opportunities to
improve performance and facilitate the remediation works being undertaken and fostered a close
working relationship with Comcare, Telstra and the NBN Co, ensuring the work was undertaken in the
safest possible manner and that any issues of concern were acted upon in a timely manner.
Following the completion of the monitors project in March 2014, in response to the findings of the
report, the agency commenced a review of the asbestos-related training provided for the utilities sector
in order to develop and implement an improved, practical, competency-based asbestos safety and
handling training program for all workers engaged in pit and pipe works. This project will also assist the
agency in achieving best practice in relation to asbestos-related training in the utilities sector, which
aligns with the best practice strategy under the National Strategic Plan.
Page 31
Section 6: Management & accountability
Corporate governance
The agency governance framework has its foundation in the ASEA Act which established the agency and
its functions and the appointment of a CEO to ensure the agency performs these functions. The
functions of the agency are set out in section one (Agency Overview) of this report.
The CEO is appointed by the Minister by written instrument for a period not exceeding five years and is
responsible for the day to day administration of the agency. The CEO ensures the agency achieves its
performance objectives in accordance with the National Strategic Plan and the policies, programs and
performance requirements set out for internal governance purposes.
Agency staff members are responsible for ensuring that the CEO is provided with all necessary
information to perform their management responsibilities and to keep the council briefed on agency
operations.
The CEO is accountable to the Minister for Employment through the ASEA Act and the Minister for
Finance in relation to the FMA Act which was the relevant legislation during the 2013-14 year.
The ASEA Act also established the council to provide guidance to the CEO about the performance of the
agency’s functions and provide advice to the Minister regarding asbestos safety. The functions of the
council are set out in section two of this report.
Establishment of agency committees
In line with section 24(1) of the ASEA Act, the agency has been working to establish committees to
provide advice and assistance to the agency and council in performing its functions.
Each committee will be chaired by a member of the council and will consist of industry representatives,
experts and key stakeholders to ensure veracity and will operate under defined terms of reference to
assist directly in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan.
These agency committees will be established in the first half of the 2014-15 year.
Page 32
External scrutiny
The Audit Committee was established in the latter part of the 2013-14 year and held one meeting in
that year providing independent assurance and advice to the CEO on agency financial matters including
risk management. The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) was appointed to audit the agency’s
2013-14 financial statements.
No judicial or tribunal decisions that could have a significant impact on agency operations have been
made or are pending.
No reports on the operations of the agency by the Auditor-General, a Parliamentary Committee or the
Commonwealth Ombudsman have been released.
Management of human resources
The 2013-14 year saw the agency staffing in a state of flux due to the predecessor, the Office of
Asbestos Safety transitioning to the new agency which commenced operation on 1 July 2013.
At the commencement of the year, the agency had six staff members who had been seconded from
other departmental or agency locations working to establish the agency and prepare the National
Strategic Plan and the agency policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the enabling Act. At
the end of the 1st quarter of 2013-14, the senior members of staff returned to their substantive
positions handing over to the new CEO appointed in August 2013 and additional staff seconded
temporarily to the new agency.
At the end of year 30 June 2014, the agency had ten staff members at various grade levels including
non-ongoing and temporary employment arrangements plus the CEO making a total of 10 staff
members.
Classification
Female
Male
Sydney
Canberra
Perm/Full
time
Part
time/temp
Non-ongoing
CEO
0
1
1
0
1
0
EL2
1
2
2
1
3
0
EL1
0
3
3
0
3
0
APS6
2
1
1
2
1
2
APS5
0
0
0
0
0
0
APS4
0
0
0
0
0
0
total
3
7
7
3
8
2
Page 33
Learning and development
The agency provided learning and development opportunities for staff to support the functions of the
agency with staff attending various conferences and training programs throughout the year to
supplement already acquired skills and knowledge.
The goal of approved learning and development was to enhance the skills base of the existing staff to
minimise the need for external assistance, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and operate
with maximum efficiency as an independent agency.
Collective Determination
The agency did not have a collective determination under section 24 (1) of the PS Act in place during the
2013-14 year. Agency staff were employed as seconded officers from the Department of Employment
and were subject to the department’s Enterprise Agreement 2012-14.
Performance pay
Agency staff do not receive performance bonuses or performance pay. Non-SES staff were covered by
the Department of Employment Enterprise Agreement 2012-14 which provides for pay increments as
per the pay scale.
Work health and safety
The agency is committed to fostering a proactive and collaborative approach to the management of
employee health, safety and wellbeing.
During the 2013-14 year, the agency had one (non-seconded) employee. Workers’ compensation and
work health and safety matters for employees seconded to the agency were covered by the Department
of Employment’s policies and procedures and are reported against in that department’s annual
report.
Employee assistance program
During the year, the agency had access to the services provided by Optum through the Department of
Employment, which included providing staff with confidential and personalised counselling for personal
and vocational/professional matters.
Page 34
Ethical standards
The agency maintained its commitment to high ethical standards by reinforcing the Australian Public
Service (APS) values and APS code of conduct.
Induction programs highlighted the importance of APS values and the code of conduct as a vehicle for
instilling a positive, collaborative and professional workplace culture with the aim of establishing the
agency as a leading APS employer.
During the year, there were no formal cases involving alleged breaches of the APS values or the APS
code of conduct.
Mandatory reporting
Asset management
The agency’s asset management strategy emphasises whole-of-life asset management and seeks to
minimise holdings of surplus and underperforming assets.
The agency’s stocktake of fixed and intangible assets in 2013–14 confirmed their location and condition,
and emphasised to custodial officers their responsibility to ensure the safe keeping of assets in their
custody.
Details of the assets administered by the agency in 2013–14 can be found in Section seven: Financial
statements.
Purchasing
In 2013–14, with the exception of those instances reported in its Certificate of Compliance, the agency
complied with the Australian Government’s purchasing policies. Its procurement and purchasing
activities were conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) to ensure
value for money, and efficient, effective, economical and ethical procurement outcomes.
Page 35
Consultants
Due to the size of the agency, it is necessary to engage consultants to provide specialist expertise or
independent research and to provide value for money. The decision to engage a consultant is made in
accordance with the FMA Act and regulations, and relevant departmental policies.
In the 2013–14 year, five consultancy contracts were entered into, involving total actual expenditure of
$175,015.86 (GST inclusive) as set out in the table below. This represents the total value of these
consultancies for the reporting period. There were no ongoing consultancy contracts from 2012–13.
Supplier name
Description of services
Contract value
reason
Geoff Fary
Work on National Taskforce:
Asbestos Safety in Telstra
Infrastructure from December
2013
$4,893.13
need for specialised or
professional skills
Dr Yossi Berger
Work on National Taskforce:
Asbestos Safety in Telstra
Infrastructure from December
2013
$4,667.91
need for specialised or
professional skills
Colmar Brunton
Pty Ltd
Asbestos awareness benchmark
research project
$52,728.00
need for independent
research or assessment
Department of
Justice, Tasmania
Asbestos identification tool pilot
project
$90,909.09
need for specialised or
professional skills
Lung Foundation
Australia
National asbestos awareness
programme for health
professionals and general
community
$21,817.73
need for specialised or
professional skills
total
$175,015.86
Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website at
www.austender.gov.au. Prior to engaging consultants, the agency takes into account the skills and
resources required for the task, the skills available internally, and the cost effectiveness of engaging
external expertise.
Page 36
Grant Programmes
The agency entered into one agreement to provide grant funding at a total cost of $40,000 (GST
inclusive). The details of this agreement are as follows:
recipient
purpose
value
Date of effect
Grant term
location
Asbestos Disease
Society of South
Australia
Provide funding to deliver
a suite of asbestos
awareness training
seminars to students in
South Australian trade
schools.
$40,000
12 May 2014
8 months
South Australia
Australian National Audit Office access clauses
All of the agency’s awarded contracts or Deeds of Standing Offer valued at $100,000 (GST inclusive) or
greater, contain standard clauses granting the Auditor-General access to contractors’ premises.
Exempt contracts
The agency did not enter into any contracts in 2013–14 that have been exempted under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) from reporting on AusTender.
Advertising and market research
In accordance with section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the agency is required to
report on all payments over $12,400 (GST inclusive) to advertising agencies, market research
organisations, polling organisations, media advertising organisations, public relations organisations and
direct mail organisations.
The total payment by the agency for market research in the reporting period was $96,668 paid to
Colmar Brunton Market Research to conduct a baseline awareness survey as referred to in section 3 of
this report.
Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance
The agency has considered and applied the principles of ecological and environmental sustainability to
all of its projects and operations during the reporting period.
Projects included adhering to already established departmental policies and specifications regarding
sustainability and preference for dissemination of the agency’s public reports through electronic media.
The agency accommodation is located in the NSW State office for a number of Australian Government
departments and agencies which enjoys a five star NABERS rating on energy efficiency, water usage,
waste management and indoor environment quality of a building or tenancy and its impact on the
Page 37
environment. More information regarding the NABERS rating system for buildings can be found on their
website at www.nabers.gov.au
Information publication scheme statement
Agencies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 are required to publish information to the
public as part of the Information Publication Scheme (IPS). This requirement is in Part II of the FOI Act
and has replaced the former requirement to publish a section 8 statement in an annual report. Each
agency must display on its website a plan showing what information it publishes in accordance with the
IPS requirements. The agency’s current IPS information can be found at
http://asbestossafety.gov.au/publications
Changes to disability reporting in annual reports
Since 1994, Commonwealth departments and agencies have reported on their performance as policy
adviser, purchaser, employer, regulator and provider under the Commonwealth Disability Strategy. In
2007-08, reporting on the employer role was transferred to the Australian Public Service Commission’s
State of the Service Report and the APS Statistical Bulletin. These reports are available at
www.apsc.gov.au. From 2010-11, departments and agencies have no longer been required to report on
these functions.
The Commonwealth Disability Strategy has been overtaken by the National Disability Strategy 20102020, which sets out a ten year national policy framework to improve the lives of people with disability,
promote participation and create a more inclusive society. A high level two-yearly report will track
progress against each of the six outcome areas of the Strategy and present a picture of how people with
disability are faring. The first of these reports will be available in late 2014, and can be found at
www.dss.gov.au.
Page 38
Section 7: Financial statements
Overview of financial performance
Revenue from the Australian Government for 2013-14 was $5,442,000 with total expenses of
$3,171,865.
The key reasons for the underspend are the impacts of the interim arrangements for APS recruitment
from 31 October 2013 (also refer Section 6, Management of Human Resources) and staff resources
focussing on the cost-recovered National Task force - Asbestos Safety in Telstra Infrastructure project.
With recruitment actions in late 2013-14 the agency will be in a position to ensure its 2014-15 budget
allocation is better utilised.
Page 39
Independent auditors report
Page 40
Page 41
Statement by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
In our opinion, the attached financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2014 are based on properly
maintained financial records and give a true and fair view of the matters required by the Finance Minister’s Orders
made under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, as amended.
Signed
.
Signed
Peter Tighe
Chief Executive Officer
Nick Miller
Chief Finance Officer
14 October 2014
14 October 2014
Page 42
Financial statements
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the period ended 30 June 2014
Notes
NET COST OF SERVICES
EXPENSES
Employee benefits
Suppliers
Grants
Total expenses
OWN-SOURCE INCOME
Own-source revenue
Sale of goods and rendering of services
Other revenue
Total own-source income
3A
3B
3C
239,430
2,896,071
36,364
3,171,865
4A
4B
1,102,421
57,000
1,159,421
Net cost of services
Revenue from Government
Surplus attributable to the Australian Government
Total comprehensive income
2014
$
2,012,444
4C
5,442,000
3,429,556
3,429,556
Page 43
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
for the period ended 30 June 2014
Notes
ASSETS
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Total financial assets
5A
5B
Total assets
LIABILITIES
Payables
Other payables
Total payables
Provisions
Employee provisions
Total provisions
2014
$
845,878
5,068,054
5,913,932
5,913,932
6A
2,283,177
2,283,177
7A
18,199
18,199
Total liabilities
2,301,376
Net assets
3,612,556
EQUITY
Contributed equity
Reserves
Retained surplus (accumulated deficit)
Total equity
183,000
3,429,556
3,612,556
Page 44
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the period ended 30 June 2014
Retained earnings
2014
$
Opening balance
Balance carried forward from previous period
Adjustment for errors
Adjustment for changes in accounting policies
Adjusted opening balance
Comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income
Surplus (Deficit) for the period
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Contributions by owners
Equity injection - Appropriation
Departmental capital budget
Sub-total transactions with owners
Transfers between equity components
Closing balance as at 30 June
Contributed
equity/capital
2014
$
Total equity
2014
$
-
-
-
3,429,556
3,429,556
-
3,429,556
3,429,556
3,429,556
183,000
183,000
183,000
3,612,556
Page 45
183,000
183,000
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the period ended 30 June 2014
2014
$
Notes
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Cash received
Appropriations
Sale of goods and rendering of services
Total cash received
556,946
1,102,421
1,659,367
Cash used
Employees
Suppliers
Grants
Total cash used
Net cash from (used by) operating activities
213,323
599,734
432
813,489
8
845,878
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash received
Contributed equity - capital injections
Total cash received
-
Net cash from (used by) financing activities
-
Net increase (decrease) in cash held
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting
period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period
845,878
5A
845,878
Page 46
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
SCHEDULE OF COMMITMENTS
for the period ended 30 June 2014
2014
$
BY TYPE
Commitments receivable
Net GST recoverable on commitments
Total commitments receivable
(35,422)
(35,422)
Commitments payable
Other commitments
Research and development
Other1
Total other commitments
Net commitments by type
38,667
350,977
389,644
354,222
BY MATURITY
Other commitments receivable
Within one year
Total other commitments receivable
Total commitments receivable
(35,422)
(35,422)
(35,422)
Commitments payable
Research and development commitments
Within one year
Total research and development commitments
Other commitments1
Within one year
Total other commitments
Total commitments payable
Net commitments by maturity
38,667
38,667
350,977
350,977
389,644
354,222
Note: Commitments are GST inclusive where relevant.
1 Other commitments include a range of contracts such as grants and fees for provision of services.
Page 47
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1:
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
49
Note 2:
Events After the Reporting Period
56
Note 3:
Expenses
57
Note 4:
Income
58
Note 5:
Financial Assets
59
Note 6:
Payables
60
Note 7:
Provisions
61
Note 8:
Cash Flow Reconciliation
62
Note 9:
Senior Executive Remuneration
63
Note 10:
Remuneration of Auditors
65
Note 11:
Financial Instruments
66
Note 12:
Financial Assets Reconciliation
68
Note 13:
Appropriations
69
Note 14:
Compensation and Debt Relief
70
Note 15:
Reporting of Outcomes
72
Page 48
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
1.1
Objectives of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) operates under the Australian Government’s accountability and
governance frameworks. It is a not-for-profit entity.
The agency has been established to provide a national focus on asbestos issues which go beyond workplace safety to
encompass environmental and public health issues.
The agency is structured to meet the following outcome:
Outcome 1: Assist in the prevention of exposure to asbestos fibres and the elimination of asbestos-related disease
in Australia through implementing the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management in
Australia.
ASEA is a statutory authority established on 1 July 2013 following the assent of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication
Act 2013 and is responsible through its Chief Executive Officer to the Commonwealth Minister for Employment. No
comparatives are provided to these statements.
The continued existence of the agency in its present form and with its present programs is dependent on Government
policy and on continuing funding by Parliament for the agency’s administration and programs.
ASEA activities contributing toward this outcome are classified as departmental. Departmental activities involve the
use of assets, liabilities, income and expenses controlled or incurred by the agency in its own right.
The Australian Government continues to have regard to developments in case law, including the High Court’s most
recent decision on Commonwealth expenditure in Williams v Commonwealth (2014) HCA 23, as they contribute to the
larger body of law relevant to the development of Commonwealth programs. In accordance with its general practice,
the Government will continue to monitor and assess risk and decide on any appropriate actions to respond to risks of
expenditure not being consistent with constitutional or other legal requirements.
1.2
Basis of Preparation of the Financial Statements
The financial statements are general purpose financial statements and are required by section 49 of the Financial
Management and Accountability Act 1997.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with:

Finance Minister’s Orders (FMOs) for reporting periods ending on or after 1 July 2011; and

Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB)
that apply for the reporting period.
The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis and are in accordance with the historical cost
convention, except for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Except where stated, no allowance is made for the
effect of changing prices on the results or the financial position.
The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars and values are presented in whole dollars unless
otherwise specified.
Unless an alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard or the FMOs, assets and liabilities
are recognised in the statement of financial position when and only when it is probable that future economic benefits
will flow to the agency or a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required and the amounts of the assets or
liabilities can be reliably measured. However, assets and liabilities arising under executor contracts are not recognised
unless required by an accounting standard. Liabilities and assets that are unrecognised are reported in the schedule
of commitments or the schedule of contingencies.
Unless alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard, income and expenses are recognised in
the Statement of Comprehensive Income when and only when the flow, consumption or loss of economic benefits has
occurred and can be reliably measured.
Page 49
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.3
Significant Accounting Judgements and Estimates
In the process of applying the accounting policies listed in this note, the agency has not identified accounting
assumptions or estimates that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities within the next reporting period.
1.4
New Australian Accounting Standards
Adoption of New Australian Accounting Standard Requirements
No accounting standard has been adopted earlier than the application date as stated in the standard.
The following new standards, amended standards or interpretations were issued by the Australian Accounting
Standards Board prior to the sign off date that are applicable to the current reporting period and have a material
impact on the agency.
AASB 119
Employee Benefits - September 2011 (Principal) – this will result in an increased level of
disclosure.
Future Australian Accounting Standard Requirements
The following new standards, revised standards, interpretations and amending standards were issued by the Australian
Accounting Standards Board prior to the sign-off date and apply to future reporting periods. They are not expected to
have a financial impact on the agency:
AASB 1055
Budgetary Reporting - March 2013 (Principal) – this new requirement will require the
agency to explain significant variances between budget and actual expenditure
Other new standards, revised standards, interpretations and amending standards that were issued by the Australian
Accounting Standards Board prior to the sign-off date are not expected to have an impact on the agency for future
reporting periods.
1.5
Revenue
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when:

the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer;

the agency retains no managerial involvement or effective control over the goods;

the revenue and transaction costs incurred can be reliably measured; and

it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the agency.
Revenue from rendering of services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of contracts at the reporting
date. The revenue is recognised when:

the amount of revenue, stage of completion and transaction costs incurred can be reliably measured; and

the probable economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the agency.
The stage of completion of contracts at the reporting date is determined by reference to the proportion that costs
incurred to date bear to the estimated total costs of the transaction. Receivables for goods and services, which have
30 day terms, are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any impairment allowance account. Collectability of
debts is reviewed at the end of the reporting period. Allowances are made when collectability of the debt is no longer
probable.
Revenue from Government
Amounts appropriated for departmental appropriations for the year (adjusted for any formal additions and
reductions) are recognised as Revenue from Government when the agency gains control of the appropriation, except
for certain amounts that relate to activities that are reciprocal in nature, in which case revenue is recognised only
when it has been earned.
Appropriations receivable are recognised at their nominal amounts.
Page 50
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Resources received free of charge
Resources received free of charge are recognised as revenue when, and only when, a fair value can be reliably
determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources is
recognised as an expense.
Resources received free of charge are recorded as either revenue or gains depending on their nature.
Contributions of assets at no cost of acquisition or for nominal consideration are recognised as gains at their fair value
when the asset qualifies for recognition, unless received from another Government entity as a consequence of a
restructuring of administrative arrangements (Refer to Note 1.6).
Sale of assets
Gains from disposal of assets are recognised when control of the asset has passed to the buyer.
1.6
Transactions with the Government as Owner
Equity injections
Amounts appropriated which are designated as ‘equity injections’ for a year (less any formal reductions) and
Departmental Capital Budgets (DCBs) are recognised directly in contributed equity in that year.
Restructuring of administrative arrangements
Net assets received from, or relinquished to, another Australian Government entity under a restructuring of
administrative arrangements are adjusted at their book value directly against contributed equity.
Other distributions to Owners
The FMOs require that distributions to owners be debited to contributed equity unless it is in the nature of a dividend.
1.7
Employee Benefits
Liabilities for ‘short-term employee benefits’ (as defined in AASB 119 Employee Benefits) and termination benefits due
within twelve months of the end of reporting period are measured at their nominal amounts.
The nominal amount is calculated with regard to the rates expected to be paid on settlement of the liability.
Other long-term employee benefits are measured at net total of the present value of the defined benefit obligation at
the end of the reporting period minus the fair value at the end of the reporting period of plan assets (if any) out of
which the obligations are to be settled directly.
Leave
The liability for employee benefits includes provision for annual leave and long service leave. No provision has been
made for sick leave as all sick leave is non-vesting and the average sick leave taken in future years by employees of the
agency is estimated to be less than the annual entitlement for sick leave.
The leave liabilities are calculated on the basis of employees’ remuneration at the estimated salary rates that will be
applied at the time the leave is taken, including the agency’s employer superannuation contribution rates, to the
extent that the leave is likely to be taken during service rather than paid out on termination.
The liability for long service leave has been determined by reference to work conducted as at 30 June 2014. The
estimate of the present value of the liability takes into account attrition rates and pay increases through promotion
and inflation.
Superannuation
Under the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Funds) Act 2004, staff of the agency are able to become
a member of any complying superannuation fund. A complying superannuation fund is one that meets the
requirements under the Income Tax Assessment Act (1997) and the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993.
Staff are members of a scheme of their choice, the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), the Public Sector
Superannuation Scheme (PSS), the PSS accumulation plan (PSSap) or the Australian Government Employees
Superannuation Trust (AGEST).
The CSS, PSS and AGEST are defined benefit schemes for the Australian Government. The PSSap and other schemes
are defined contribution scheme.
Page 51
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The liability for defined benefits is recognised in the financial statements of the Australian Government and is settled
by the Australian Government in due course. This liability is reported by the agency of Finance administered schedules
and notes.
The agency makes employer contributions to the employee’s superannuation scheme at rates determined by an
actuary to be sufficient to meet the current cost to the Government. The agency accounts for the contributions as if
they were contributions to defined contribution plans.
The liability for superannuation recognised as at 30 June represents outstanding contributions for the final fortnight of
the year.
1.8
Cash
Cash is recognised at its nominal amount. Cash and cash equivalents include:

cash on hand;

demand deposits in bank accounts with an original maturity of 3 months or less that are readily convertible to
known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value;

cash held by outsiders; and

cash in special accounts.
1.9
Financial Assets
The agency classifies its financial assets in the following categories:

available-for-sale financial assets; and

loans and receivables.
The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial
recognition. Financial assets are recognised and derecognised upon trade date.
Effective interest method
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating
interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future
cash receipts over the expected life of the financial asset, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.
Income is recognised on an effective interest rate basis except for financial assets that are recognised at fair value
through profit or loss.
Available-for-sale financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any
of the other categories.
Available-for-sale financial assets are recorded at fair value. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are
recognised directly in the reserves (equity) with the exception of impairment losses. Interest is calculated using the
effective interest method and foreign exchange gains and losses on monetary assets are recognised directly in profit or
loss. Where the asset is disposed of, or is determined to be impaired, part (or all) of the cumulative gain or loss
previously recognised in the reserve is included through surplus or deficit for the period.
Where a reliable fair value cannot be established for unlisted investments in equity instruments, these instruments are
valued at cost. The agency has no such instruments.
Loans and receivables
Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an
active market are classified as ‘loans and receivables’. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method less impairment. Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate.
Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets are assessed for impairment at the end of the reporting period.
Page 52
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial assets held at amortised cost - If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred
for loans and receivables, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying
amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest
rate. The carrying amount is reduced by way of an allowance account. The loss is recognised in the Statement of
Comprehensive Income.

Available-for-sale financial assets - If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on an available-for-sale
financial asset has been incurred, the amount of the difference between its cost, less principal repayments and
amortisation, and its current fair value, less any impairment loss previously recognised in expenses, is transferred
from equity to the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Financial assets held at cost - If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred, the amount
of the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the present value of the
estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market rate for similar assets.
1.10
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities ‘at fair value through profit or loss’ or other financial
liabilities. Financial liabilities are recognised and derecognised upon trade date.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are initially measured at fair value. Subsequent fair value
adjustments are recognised in profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognised in profit or loss incorporates any interest
paid on the financial liability.
Other financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. These liabilities are subsequently
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield
basis.
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating
interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated
future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.
Supplier and other payables are recognised at amortised cost. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the goods or
services have been received (and irrespective of having been invoiced).
1.11
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets
Contingent liabilities and contingent assets are not recognised in the statement of financial position but are reported in
the relevant schedules and notes. They may arise from uncertainty as to the existence of a liability or asset or
represent an asset or liability in respect of which the amount cannot be reliably measured. Contingent assets are
disclosed when settlement is probable but not virtually certain and contingent liabilities are disclosed when settlement
is greater than remote.
ASEA do not have any contingent liabilities or contingent assets as at 30 June 2014 and therefore no schedule or note
is required in the financial statements.
1.12
Financial Guarantee Contracts
Financial guarantee contracts are accounted for in accordance with AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and
Measurement. They are not treated as a contingent liability, as they are regarded as financial instruments outside the
scope of AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.
1.13
Acquisition of Assets
Assets are recorded at cost on acquisition except as stated below. The cost of acquisition includes the fair value of
assets transferred in exchange and liabilities undertaken. Financial assets are initially measured at their fair value plus
transaction costs where appropriate.
Page 53
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and income at their fair
value at the date of acquisition, unless acquired as a consequence of restructuring of administrative arrangements. In
the latter case, assets are initially recognised as contributions by owners at the amounts at which they were
recognised in the transferor’s accounts immediately prior to the restructuring.
1.14
Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset recognition threshold
Purchases of property, plant and equipment are recognised initially at cost in the statement of financial position,
except for purchases costing less than $2,000, (or $50,000 for leasehold improvements) which are expensed in the
year of acquisition (other than where they form part of a group of similar items which are significant in total).
The initial cost of an asset includes an estimate of the cost of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site
on which it is located. This is particularly relevant to the restoration provisions in property leases taken up by the
agency where there exists an obligation to restore the property to its original condition. These costs are included in
the value of the agency's leasehold improvements with a corresponding provision for the ‘restoration’ recognised.
Revaluations
Fair values for each class of asset are determined as shown below:
Asset Class
Fair value measurement
Land
Market selling price
Buildings excluding leasehold improvements
Market selling price
Buildings – Leasehold improvements
Depreciated replacement cost
Infrastructure, plant and equipment
Market selling price
Following initial recognition at cost, property, plant and equipment are carried at fair value less accumulated
depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Valuations are conducted with sufficient frequency to ensure that
the carrying amounts of assets do not differ materially from the assets’ fair values as at the reporting date. The
regularity of independent valuations depends upon the volatility of movements in market values for the relevant
assets.
Revaluation adjustments are made on a class basis. Any revaluation increment is credited to equity under the heading
of asset revaluation reserve except to the extent that it reverses a previous revaluation decrement of the same asset
class that was previously recognised in the surplus/deficit. Revaluation decrements for a class of assets are recognised
directly in the surplus/deficit except to the extent that they reverse a previous revaluation increment for that class.
Any accumulated depreciation as at the revaluation date is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset
and the asset restated to the revalued amount.
Depreciation
Depreciable property, plant and equipment assets are written-off to their estimated residual values over their
estimated useful lives to the agency using, in all cases, the straight-line method of depreciation.
Depreciation rates (useful lives), residual values and methods are reviewed at each reporting date and necessary
adjustments are recognised in the current, or current and future reporting periods, as appropriate.
Depreciation rates applying to each class of depreciable asset are based on the following useful lives:
Asset Class
2014
Buildings on freehold land
37-51 years
Buildings – leasehold improvements
Lease term
Infrastructure, plant and equipment
3-25 years
Page 54
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Impairment
Where indications of impairment exist, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment adjustment
made if the asset’s recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount.
The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. Value in use
is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset. Where the future economic
benefit of an asset is not primarily dependent on the asset’s ability to generate future cash flows, and the asset would
be replaced if the agency were deprived of the asset, its value in use is taken to be its depreciated replacement cost.
Derecognition
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits
are expected from its use or disposal.
1.15
Intangibles
The agency’s intangibles comprise purchased and internally developed software for internal use. These assets are
carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Purchases costing less than
$200,000 are expensed in the year of acquisition (other than where they form part of a group of similar items which
are significant in total).
Software is amortised on a straight-line basis over its anticipated useful life. The useful lives of the agency’s software
are 2-15 years.
1.16
Taxation
The agency is exempt from all forms of taxation except Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Revenues, expenses and non-financial assets are recognised net of GST except:

where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office; and

for receivables and payables.
Page 55
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 2: Events After the Reporting Period
There have been no events after balance date that have the potential to significantly affect the ongoing structure and
financial activities of the agency.
Page 56
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 3: Expenses
2014
$
Note 3A: Employee benefits
Wages and salaries
Superannuation
Defined contribution plans
Defined benefit plans
Leave and other entitlements
Other employee expenses
Total employee benefits
170,079
26,095
17,548
25,708
239,430
Note 3B: Suppliers
Goods and services supplied or rendered
Contractors
Consultants
Travel
IT services
Committee
Motor vehicle
Marketing
Shared service centre charges
Other
Total goods and services supplied or rendered
1,519,903
175,016
245,724
22,522
171,962
114,610
85,890
299,381
261,063
2,896,071
Goods supplied in connection with
Related parties
External parties
Total services rendered
Total goods and services supplied or rendered
1,876,284
1,005,242
2,881,526
2,881,526
Note 3C: Grants
Private sector
Non-profit organisations
Total grants
1
36.364
36,364
Contractors include staff on secondment from the Department of Employment.
Page 57
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 4: Income
OWN-SOURCE REVENUE
2014
$
Note 4A: Sale of goods and rendering of services
Rendering of services in connection with
External parties
Total rendering of services
Total sale of goods and rendering of services
1,102,421
1,102,421
1,102,421
Note 4B: Other Revenue
Resources received free of charge
Total other gains
57,000
57,000
REVENUE FROM GOVERNMENT
Note 4C: Revenue from Government
Appropriations
Departmental appropriations
Total revenue from Government
5,442,000
5,442,000
Page 58
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 5: Financial Assets
2014
$
Note 5A: Cash and cash equivalents
Cash on hand or on deposit
Total cash and cash equivalents
845,878
845,878
Note 5B: Trade and other receivables
Appropriations receivables
For existing programs
Total appropriations receivable
5,068,054
5,068,054
Total trade and other receivables (net)
5,068,054
Trade and other receivables (net) expected to be recovered
No more than 12 months
Total trade and other receivables (net)
5,068,054
5,068,054
Trade and other receivables (gross) aged as follows
Not overdue
Overdue by
0 to 30 days
31 to 60 days
61 to 90 days
More than 90 days
Total trade and other receivables (gross)
5,068,054
5,068,054
Page 59
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 6: Payables
Note 6A: Other payables
Salaries and wages
Superannuation
Accrued expenses
Total other payables
6,937
971
2,275,269
2,283,177
Other payables expected to be settled
No more than 12 months
Total other payables
2,283,177
2,283,177
Page 60
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 7: Provisions
2014
$
Note 7A: Employee provisions
Leave
Total employee provisions
18,199
18,199
Employee provisions expected to be settled
No more than 12 months
More than 12 months
Total employee provisions
18,197
2
18,199
Page 61
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 8: Cash Flow Reconciliation
2014
$
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents as per statement of financial
position to cash flow statement
Cash and cash equivalents as per
Cash flow statement
Statement of financial position
Discrepancy
845,878
845,878
-
Reconciliation of net cost of services to net cash from (used by) operating activities
Net cost of services
Revenue from Government
(2,012,444)
5,442,000
Movements in assets and liabilities
Decrease / (increase) in net receivables
Increase / (decrease) in employee provisions
Increase / (decrease) in other payables
Net cash from (used by) operating activities
(4,885,054)
18,199
2,283,177
845,878
Page 62
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 9: Senior Executive Remuneration
Note 9A: Senior executive remuneration expenses for the reporting period
2014
$
Short-term employee benefits:
Salary
Other2
Total short-term employee benefits
170,079
25,708
195,787
Post-employment benefits:
Superannuation
Total post-employment benefits
26,095
26,095
Other long-term employee benefits:
Annual leave accrued
Long-service leave
Total other long-term benefits
15,965
1,583
17,548
Termination benefits
Separation and redundancy payments
Total termination benefits
Total senior executive remuneration expenses
239,430
Notes
1. Note 9A was prepared on an accrual basis. It excludes acting arrangements and part-year service where total
remuneration expensed as a senior executive for the reporting period was less than $195,000.
2. Other includes motor vehicle allowances, other allowances and reportable fringe benefits.
Page 63
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 9B: Average annual reportable remuneration paid to substantive senior executives during the reporting period
Average annual reportable remuneration paid to substantive senior executives in 2014
Average annual reportable remuneration
1
Total reportable remuneration (including part-time
arrangements):
$195,000 to $224,999
Total number of substantive senior executives
Substantiv
e Senior
Executives
No.
1
1
$
Bonus
paid5
$
Total
reportable
remunerati
on
$
-
-
216,289
Reportable
salary2
$
Contributed
superannuati
on3
$
Reportable
allowances
191,165
25,124
4
Notes:
1. This table reports substantive senior executives who received remuneration during the reporting period. Each row is an averaged figure based on headcount for
individuals in the band.
2. 'Reportable salary' includes the following:
a) gross payments (less any bonuses paid, which are separated out and disclosed in the 'bonus paid' column);
b) reportable fringe benefits (at the net amount prior to 'grossing up' to account for tax purposes);
c) exempt foreign employment income; and
d) salary sacrificed benefits.
3. The 'contributed superannuation' amount is the average cost to the entity for the provision of superannuation benefits to substantive senior executives in that
reportable remuneration band during the reporting period.
4. 'Reportable allowances' are the average actual allowances paid as per the 'total allowances' line on individuals' payment summaries.
5. 'Bonus paid' represents average actual bonuses paid during the reporting period in that reportable remuneration band. Existing remuneration arrangements for
senior executives do not provide for the payment of performance bonus.
Note 9C: Average Annual Reportable Remuneration Paid to Other Highly Paid Staff during the Reporting Period
There were no other highly paid staff during the reporting period.
Page 64
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 10: Remuneration of Auditors
2014
$
Financial statement audit services were provided free of charge to the department
by the Australian National Audit Office.
Fair value of services received
Financial statement audit services
Total fair value of services received
57,000
57,000
No other services were provided by the auditors of the financial statements.
Page 65
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 11: Financial Instruments
Note 11A: Categories of financial instruments
Financial Assets
Loans and receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total loans and receivables
845,878
845,878
Total financial assets
845,878
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
Accrued expenses
Total financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
2,275,269
2,275,269
Total financial liabilities
2,275,269
Note 11B: Fair value of financial instruments
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total financial assets
Accrued expenses
Total financial liabilities
Carrying
amount
2014
$
Fair
value
2014
$
845,878
845,878
845,878
845,878
2,275,269
2,275,269
2,275,269
2,275,269
Page 66
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 11C: Credit risk
The agency is exposed to minimal credit risk as loans and receivables were cash and cash on
deposit.
The agency has no significant exposures to any concentrations of credit risk. All figures for credit
risk referred to did not take into account the value of any collateral of other security.
Credit quality of financial instruments not past due or individually determined as
impaired
Not past
due nor
impaired
2014
$'000
Cash and cash equivalents
845,878
Total
845,878
Past due
or
impaired
2014
$'000
-
ASEA holds no collateral against credit risk.
Note 11D: Liquidity
risk
The agency’s financial liabilities were accrued expenses. The exposure to liquidity risk was based
on the notion that the agency will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with
financial liabilities. This was highly unlikely as the agency is appropriated funding from the
Australian Government. The agency manages its budgeted funds to ensure it has adequate funds
to meet payments as they fall due. In addition, the agency has policies in place to ensure timely
payments are made when due and has no past experience of default.
Maturities for non-derivative financial
liabilities in 2014
Accrued expenses
Total
On
demand
$'000
-
Within
one year
$'000
2,275,269
2,275,269
Between
one to
two years
$'000
-
Between
two and
five years
$'000
-
More
than five
years
$'000
-
Total
$'000
2,275,269
2,275,269
Note 11E: Market risk
The agency held basic financial instruments that did not expose the agency to market risks.
Page 67
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 12: Financial Assets Reconciliation
2014
$
Financial assets
Total financial assets as per statement of financial position
Less: non-financial instrument components
Appropriations receivable
Total non-financial instrument components
Total financial assets as per financial instruments note
Notes
5,913,932
5B
11A
5,068,054
5,068,054
845,878
Page 68
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTE TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 13: Appropriations
Note 13A: Annual Appropriations ('Recoverable GST
exclusive')
2014 Appropriations
Annual
Appropriation
Appropriations
reduced1
AFM2
Section 30
Section 31
Section 32
Total
appropriation
Appropriation
applied in 2014
(current and
prior years)
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
5,442,000
-
-
-
1,102,421
-
6,544,421
813,489
5,730,932
183,000
-
-
-
-
-
183,000
-
183,000
5,625,000
-
-
-
1,102,421
-
5,727,421
813,489
5,913,932
Appropriation Act
FMA Act
Variance
DEPARTMENTAL
Ordinary annual services
Other services
Equity
Total departmental
Notes:
1. Appropriations reduced under Appropriation Acts (No. 1, 3 & 5) 2013-14: sections 10,11 and 12 and under Appropriation Acts (No. 2, 4 & 6) 2013-14: sections 12, 13
and 14. Departmental appropriations do not lapse at financial year end. However, the responsible Minister may decide that part or all of a departmental
appropriation is not required and request the Finance Minister to reduce that appropriation. The reduction in the appropriation is effected by the Finance Minister’s
determination and is disallowable by Parliament.
2. Advance to the Finance Minister (AFM) – Appropriation Acts (No. 1, 3 & 5) 2013-14: section 13 and Appropriation Acts (No. 2, 4 & 6) 2013-14: section 15
4. Departmental variances represent the appropriation receivable at Note 5B.
Page 69
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 13B: Unspent Annual Appropriations ('Recoverable GST exclusive')
2014
$
Departmental
Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2013-14
Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2013-14
Total
4,885,054
183,000
5,068,054
Page 70
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTE TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14: Compensation and Debt Relief
2014
$
Departmental
No ‘Act of Grace’ payments were expensed during the reporting period.
-
No waivers of amounts owing to the Australian Government were made pursuant to
subsection 34(1) of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.
-
No ex-gratia payments were provided for during the period.
-
No payment were provided under the Compensation for Detriment caused by
Defective Administration (CDDA) scheme during the reporting period.
-
No payments were provided in special circumstances relating to APS employment
pursuant to section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) during the reporting
period.
-
Page 71
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTE TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 15: Reporting of Outcomes
The agency has one outcome and details of the outcome are provided in the front of the 2013-14 Annual Report.
Note 15A: Net cost of outcome delivery
Outcome 1
Departmental
Expenses
Own-source income
Net cost/(contribution) of outcome delivery
Total
2014
$
2014
$
3,171,865
1,159,421
2,012,444
3,171,865
1,159,421
2,012,444
Outcomes are described in Note 1.1. Net costs shown include intra-government costs that are eliminated in calculating the actual Budget Outcome.
Page 72
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
15B: Major classes of departmental expense income assets and liabilities by outcome
Outcome 1
Expenses
Employee benefits
Suppliers
Grants
Total
Income
Sales of goods and services
Income from government
Other
Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Total
Liabilities
Other payables
Employee provisions
Total
Page 73
Total
2014
$
2014
$
239,430
2,896,071
36,364
3,171,865
239,430
2,896,071
36,364
3,171,865
(1,102,421)
(5,442,000)
(57,000)
(6,601,421)
(1,102,421)
(5,442,000)
(57,000)
(6,601,421)
845,878
5,068,054
5,913,932
845,878
5,068,054
5,913,932
(2,283,177)
(18,199)
(2,301,376)
(2,283,177)
(18,199)
(2,301,376)
Appendices
Agency speaking engagements
Date of event
Location
Organisation
Type
02-Sep-13
Sydney, NSW
Heads of Asbestos CA
Meeting
03-Sep-13
Sydney, NSW
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Meeting
10-Sep-13
Melbourne VIC
Telstra Taskforce
Meeting
02-Oct-13
Melbourne VIC
Telstra Taskforce
Meeting
03-Oct-13
Sydney NSW
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Meeting
09-Oct-13
Sydney NSW
ACTU, CFMEU, AMWU, CEPU
Meeting
18-Oct-13
Sydney NSW
Asian Ban Asbestos Network (A-BAN), Sugio
Furuya
Meeting
21-Oct-13
Gold Coast, QLD
e-Profiling board meeting and AGM
Meeting
28-Oct-13
Yarralumla, ACT
Master Builders Australia
Meeting
06-Nov-13
Sydney NSW
Telstra
Meeting
19-Nov-13
Sydney, NSW
Demolition and Asbestos Consultative
Committee (DACC)
Meeting
21-Nov-13
Canberra ACT
Australian Parliament
Senate
Estimates
26-Nov-13
Sydney NSW
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Meeting
27-Nov-13
Ashford SA
SafeWork SA
Forum
27-Nov-13
Ashford SA
South Australian Asbestos Advisory
Committee
Meeting
28-Nov-13
Sydney NSW
Unions NSW
Conference
02-Dec-13
Teleconference
Various State and Territory Governments
Meeting
03-Dec-13
Melbourne VIC
Comcare
Meeting
04-Dec-13
Sydney NSW
ACTU
Meeting
05-Dec-13
Melbourne VIC
Telstra Taskforce
Meeting
09-Dec-13
Phillip, ACT
enHealth
Meeting
September
2013
October 2013
November 2013
December 2013
Page 74
Date of event
Location
Organisation
Type
16-Dec-13
Sydney NSW
ETU
Meeting
Sydney NSW
Hazibag Australia
Meeting
04-Feb-14
Sydney NSW
AUSGRID
Meeting
06-Feb-14
Melbourne VIC
Telstra Taskforce
Meeting
11-Feb-14
Canberra ACT
Safe Work Australia
Meeting
13-Feb-14
Sydney NSW
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Meeting
27-Feb-14
Canberra ACT
Senate Estimates
Hearing
28-Feb-14
Sydney NSW
Utilities sector
Meeting
11-Mar-14
Brunswick VIC
Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre
Forum
13-Mar-14
Teleconference
Lung Foundation
Meeting
17-Mar-14
Canberra ACT
Various Commonwealth Departments
Forum
18-Mar-14
Sydney NSW
Various State and Territory Governments
Forum
19-Mar-14
Sydney NSW
NSW EPA
Meeting
20-Mar-14
Sydney NSW
Slater and Gordon
Forum
27-Mar-14
Perth WA
enHealth Committee
Meeting
03-Apr-14
Melbourne VIC
Telstra Taskforce
Meeting
09-Apr-14
Acton ACT
AIATSIS
Meeting
10-Apr-14
Sydney NSW
WorkSafe TAS
Meeting
14-Apr-14
Canberra ACT
Australian Customs and Border Protection
Service
Meeting
28-Apr-14
Canberra ACT
Safe Work Australia
forum
30-Apr-14
Parkes ACT
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Forum
01-May-14
Sydney NSW
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Meeting
06-May-14
Teleconference
ACTU
Meeting
16-May-14
Sydney NSW
Unions NSW
Meeting
22-May-14
Parkes ACT
Department of Finance
Meeting
26-May-14
Sydney NSW
Department of Immigration and Border
Protection
Meeting
January 2014
13-Jan-14
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014
Page 75
Date of event
Location
Organisation
Type
27-May-14
Teleconference
ANZSOG
Meeting
28-May-14
Sydney NSW
Unions NSW
Forum
29-May-14
Sydney NSW
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Meeting
02-June-14
Canberra ACT
Senate Estimates
Hearing
10-June-14
Ballarat VIC
2014 Electrotechnology Teaching and Learning
Conference
Conference
11-June-14
Teleconference
Worksafe Tasmania
Meeting
13-June-14
Sydney NSW
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council
Meeting
17-June-14
Canberra ACT
Parliamentary Group on Asbestos Related
Disease
Meeting
18-June-14
Teleconference
WorkSafe Tasmania
Meeting
24-June-14
Sydney NSW
OCTIEF Pty Ltd
Meeting
June 2014
Page 76
National Asbestos Exposure Register
Statistics for 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014
Register - States breakdown
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
other
Location
ACT
Other
NSW
NT
NZ
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
Grand Total
Number
49
1
476
24
1
150
100
33
123
103
1,060
%
female
%
4.63
14
1.32
0.10
0
0
44.90
87
8.20
2.26
4
0.38
0.10
0
0
14.15
23
2.17
9.43
29
2.73
3.12
10
0.95
11.60
17
1.60
9.71
26
2.45
100%
210 19.81%
male
%
35
3.31
1
0.10
389
36.70
20
1.88
1
0.10
127
11.98
71
6.70
23
2.17
106
10.00
77
7.26
850 80.19%
Page 77
900
800
700
600
500
elsewhere
400
work
300
200
100
0
Male
Male
Female
Grand Total
Female
ratio
850 (80.19%)
210 (19.81%)
1,060
work
796
187
983
elsewhere
54
23
77
Page 78
Annual Report list of requirements
Part of
Report
Description
Requirement
Page
Letter of transmittal
Mandatory
5
Table of contents
Mandatory
3
Index
Mandatory
85
Glossary
Mandatory
84
Contact officer(s)
Mandatory
2
Internet home page address and Internet address for
report
Mandatory
2
Review by Chief Executive Officer
Mandatory
6
Summary of significant issues and developments
Suggested
22-27
Overview of agency’s performance and financial results
Suggested
39
Outlook for following year
Suggested
30-31
Significant issues and developments – portfolio
Portfolio
departments –
suggested
N/A
Role and functions
Mandatory
7-12
Organisational structure
Mandatory
10
Outcome and programme structure
Mandatory
8
Where outcome and programme structures differ from PB
Statements/PAES or other portfolio statements
accompanying any other additional appropriation bills
(other portfolio statements), details of variation and
reasons for change
Mandatory
N/A
Portfolio structure
Portfolio
departments mandatory
N/A
Review by Chief Executive Officer
Agency overview
Page 79
Report on Performance
Review of performance during the year in relation to
programmes and contribution to outcomes
Mandatory
20-27
Actual performance in relation to deliverables and KPIs set
out in PB Statements/PAES or other portfolio statements
Mandatory
N/A
Where performance targets differ from the PBS/PAES,
Mandatory
N/A
details of both former and new targets, and reasons for the
change
Narrative discussion and analysis of performance
Mandatory
Trend information
Mandatory
Significant changes in nature of principal functions/services
Suggested
N/A
Performance of purchaser/provider arrangements
If applicable,
suggested
N/A
Factors, events or trends influencing departmental
performance
Suggested
N/A
Contribution of risk management in achieving objectives
Suggested
N/A
Performance against service charter customer service
standards, complaints data, and the department’s
response to complaints
If applicable,
mandatory
N/A
Discussion and analysis of the department’s financial
performance
Mandatory
38
Discussion of any significant changes in financial results
from the prior year, from budget or anticipated to have a
significant impact on future operations.
Mandatory
N/A
Agency resource statement and summary resource tables
by outcomes
Mandatory
41-72
Agency heads are required to certify that their agency
complies with the ‘Commonwealth Fraud Control
Guidelines’.
Mandatory
5
Statement of the main corporate governance practices in
place
Mandatory
33
Names of the senior executive and their responsibilities
Suggested
7
Senior management committees and their roles
Suggested
N/A
Management and Accountability

Corporate Governance
Page 80
Corporate and operational plans and associated
performance reporting and review


Suggested
N/A
Internal audit arrangements including approach adopted to Suggested
identifying areas of significant financial or operational risk
and arrangements to manage those risks
34
Policy and practices on the establishment and
maintenance of appropriate ethical standards
Suggested
34
How nature and amount of remuneration for SES officers is
determined
Suggested
N/A
Significant developments in external scrutiny
Mandatory
34
Judicial decisions and decisions of administrative tribunals
and by the Australian Information Commissioner
Mandatory
34
Reports by the Auditor-General, a Parliamentary
Committee. the Commonwealth Ombudsman or an agency
capability review
Mandatory
34
Assessment of effectiveness in managing and developing
human resources to achieve departmental objectives
Mandatory
34-36
Workforce planning, staff retention and turnover
Suggested
34
External Scrutiny
Management of Human Resources
Impact and features of enterprise or collective agreements, Suggested
individual flexibility arrangements (IFAs), determinations,
common law contracts and Australian Workplace
Agreements (AWAs)
N/A
Training and development undertaken and its impact
Suggested
N/A
Work health and safety performance
Suggested
35
Productivity gains
Suggested
N/A
Statistics on staffing
Mandatory
34
Enterprise or collective agreements, IFAs, determinations,
common law contracts and AWAs
Mandatory
35
Performance pay
Mandatory
35
If applicable,
mandatory
36
Assets Management
Assessment of effectiveness of assets management
Page 81
Purchasing
Assessment of purchasing against core policies and
principles
Mandatory
36
The annual report must include a summary statement
detailing the number of new consultancy services contracts
let during the year; the total actual expenditure on all new
consultancy contracts let during the year (inclusive of GST);
the number of ongoing consultancy contracts that were
active in the reporting year; and the total actual
expenditure in the reporting year on the ongoing
consultancy contracts (inclusive of GST). The annual report
must include a statement noting that information on
contracts and consultancies is available through the
AusTender website.
Mandatory
37
Mandatory
38
Mandatory
38
Mandatory
41-72
Work health and safety (Schedule 2, Part 4 of the Work
Health and Safety Act 2011)
Mandatory
35
Advertising and Market Research (Section 311A of the
Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918) and statement on
advertising campaigns
Mandatory
38
Ecologically sustainable development and environmental
performance (Section 516A of the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)
Mandatory
38
Compliance with the agency’s obligations under the Carer
Recognition Act 2010
If applicable,
mandatory
Grant programmes
Mandatory
38
Disability reporting – explicit and transparent reference to
Mandatory
37
Consultants
Australian National Audit Office Access Clauses
Absence of provisions in contracts allowing access by the
Auditor-General
Exempt contracts
Contracts exempted from publication in AusTender
Financial statements
Financial Statements
Other Mandatory Information
N/A
Page 82
agency-level information available through other reporting
mechanisms
Information Publication Scheme statement
Mandatory
39
Correction of material errors in previous annual report
If applicable,
mandatory
N/A
Agency Resource Statements and Resources for Outcomes
Mandatory
N/A
List of Requirements
Mandatory
79-83
Page 83
Glossary
ACBPS
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
ACM
Asbestos containing materials
agency
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
AMR
Asbestos Management Review 2012
ANAO
Australian National Audit Office
APS
Australian Public Service
ARD
Asbestos-related disease
ASEA Act
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Act 2013
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
DIY
Do it yourself renovators/renovations
FOI
Freedom of Information
FMA Act
Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997
GBAN
Global Ban Asbestos Network
GST
Goods and Services Tax
HWSA
Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities
Minister
Minister for Employment (unless otherwise stated)
National
Taskforce
National Taskforce: Asbestos in Telstra Infrastructure
NBN
National Broadband Network
NSP
National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management
Plan
National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management
PS Act
Public Service Act 1999
SES
Senior Executive Service
Page 84
Index
A
abbreviations and acronyms, 84
Abetz, Senator the Hon Eric, 6, 13
access clauses, ANAO, 37
accommodation, 37–38
accountability and management, 32–38
achievements 2013–14, 6
address and contact details, 2
advertising and market research, 37
agency overview, 6–13
APS Values and Code of Conduct, 35
asbestos-containing material, 11, 22, 31
condition of, 11, 22, 23
grading of, 11
illegal disposal, 33
in utilities sector, 31
see also handling of asbestos; loose-fill (Mr Fluffy) asbestos; removal of asbestos; training package,
asbestos handling
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), 13, 20
asbestos exposure register see National Asbestos Exposure Register
Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund, 27
Asbestos Management Review, 8, 9, 11, 14
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Act 2013, 6, 7, 8, 14
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council, 10, 13, 14–18
Chair’s message, 14
establishment of, 15
meetings, 18
membership, 15–18
role and functions, 15
assets, 44
assets management, 35
Audit Committee, 33
audit, external, 33
Auditor-General reports, 33
AusTender, 36
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, 30
Australian National Audit Office, 33
awareness initiatives see education and awareness activities
B
buildings containing asbestos, 23, 25
government and commercial buildings, 11, 22
homes, 14, 22
loose-fill (Mr Fluffy) asbestos, 22
rural and remote regions, 30
Page 85
C
case studies
Louise ‘Lou’ Williams, 20
Stephen Wickham, 27
utilities sector compliance and monitoring, 31
cash flow, 46
Chief Executive Officer, 13, 32
advice to, 15, 32
biography, 7
review 2013–14, 6
classifications of staff, 33
collective determinations, 34
Comcare, 21, 31
committees, senior management, 32
Commonwealth Ombudsman, 33
communications activities see education and awareness activities
community awareness see education and awareness activities
compliance and enforcement measures, 23
conferences and forums, 13, 21, 26, 29
staff, 34
consultants, 36
contact details, 2
corporate governance, 32
counselling, staff, 34
D
database of asbestos disposal facilities, 24
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 8
disability reporting, 38
diseases, asbestos-related, 20, 25, 27
cause, 14
incidence in Australia, 14
National Asbestos Exposure Register, 25
strategic goal, 8, 11
see also mesothelioma
disposal facilities database, 6, 24
DIY home renovators
awareness activities for, 21, 25, 27
case study, 27
Dust Diseases Tribunal NSW, 27
E
ecologically sustainable development, 37–38
education and awareness activities, 8, 11, 22, 30
DIY home renovators, 21, 25, 27
loose-fill (Mr Fluffy) asbestos, 22
strategic goal, 6, 14, 21
survey, 6, 21, 25, 29
utilities sector, 22, 30–31
email address, 2
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employee assistance program, 34
employees see staff
Enterprise Agreement, 34
environmental performance, 37–38
equity, 44
eradication measures, 14
establishment of agency, 8, 13, 14, 15, 19
ethical standards, 35
exempt contracts, 37
expenses, 43
exposure register see National Asbestos Exposure Register
external scrutiny, 33
F
Facebook, 2
Fary, Geoff (Chair, Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council), 14, 16
female staff, 33
financial performance overview, 39
financial statements, 40–73
forums see conferences, forums and speaking engagements
freedom of information, 38
functions see role and functions
funding, 13
future directions, 29–30
G
gender of staff, 33
GeoScience Australia, 24
Global Ban Asbestos Network (GBAN), 20
glossary, 84
goals see strategic goals
grant programmes, 37
guidelines for handling asbestos, 31
H
handling of asbestos
guidelines for, 31
strategic goal, 14, 22
training package, 22, 30–31
unsafe, 28, 31
see also disposal facilities database; removal of asbestos
highlights 2013–14, 6, 19
home renovators see DIY home renovators
HWSA Imported Materials Working Group, 23
I
identification tools and methods, 23
illegal disposal of asbestos, 24
importation of asbestos, 23, 30
income, 43
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indigenous communities, 30
induction programs, staff, 35
Information Publication Scheme, 38
insulation materials see loose-fill (Mr Fluffy) asbestos
International Asbestos Awareness Conference, 20
international compliance and enforcement, 23, 26, 30
International Conference on Asbestos Awareness and Management, 21, 26, 29
J
judicial and tribunal decisions, 33
L
landlords, awareness activities for, 21
learning and development, staff, 34
legislative framework, 7
liabilities, 44
LinkedIn, 2
list of requirements, 79–83
local government, collaboration with, 9–11, 19
National Strategic Plan review, 29
locations of staff, 33
loose-fill (Mr Fluffy) asbestos, 22
M
male staff, 33
management and accountability, 32–38
management, asbestos see disposal facilities database; education and awareness activities; handling of
asbestos; National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2013–2018; removal
of asbestos; training package, asbestos handling
manufacture, 26
market research, 37
mesothelioma, 13, 20, 27
see also diseases, asbestos related
Minister for Employment, 6, 7, 10, 13
and review of National Strategic Plan, 11, 29
monitoring activities, 11, 28, 31
Mr Fluffy see loose-fill (Mr Fluffy) asbestos
N
NABERS rating, 37–38
National Asbestos Awareness Month, 29
National Asbestos Exposure Register, 6, 25
statistics, 77–78
National Asbestos Forum, 13, 21
National Broadband Network, 28, 31
National Disability Strategy 2010–2020, 38
National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2013–2018, 9, 19
2013–14 highlights, 19
agency role for, 7
development of, 8, 19
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purpose of, 8
review, 6, 11–12, 29
strategic goals, 19, 21–26
timeline of key events, 13
National Taskforce: Asbestos Safety in Telstra Infrastructure, 6, 13, 28, 31
number of staff, 33
O
occupational health and safety, 34
Office of Asbestos Safety, 6, 8, 19
offices, 37–38
Ombudsman, Commonwealth, 33
online information and resources, 21, 24, 25
outcome and programme structure, 8
outlook, 29–30
overview see agency overview
P
parliamentary committee reports, 33
performance pay, 34
performance report, 19–28
highlights 2013–14, 19
portfolio, 7, 8
procurement, 35
programme structure, 8
public awareness see education and awareness activities
purchasing, 35
R
real estate agents, awareness activities for, 21
regional and remote areas, 30
removal of asbestos, 30
2030 target, 11
strategic goal, 24
unsafe, 28, 31
see also DIY home renovators; buildings containing asbestos; utilities sector
remuneration
auditors, 65
senior executive, 63–64
report on performance, 19–28
research, 6, 7, 25
strategic goal, 25
responsible minister, 6, 7
risk assessment and identification, asbestos, 23
role and functions, 7, 15, 19
S
senior executive remuneration, 63–64
senior management committees, 32
social media, 2
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speaking engagements, 74–76
staff, 33–35
profile, 33
stakeholder engagement, 9–11, 13, 19, 21
National Strategic Plan review, 11, 29
states and territories, collaboration with, 9–11, 13, 19, 29
strategic goals, 21–26
survey, awareness, 6, 21, 25, 29
T
telecommunications see utilities sector
telephone number, 2
Telstra, 6, 13, 28, 31
Tighe, Peter (Chief Executive Officer), 6, 7, 13
timeline of key events 2013–14, 13
tradespeople, awareness activities for, 21
training package, asbestos handling, 22, 30–31
transport, 8
Twitter, 2
U
utilities sector, 6, 13, 31
monitoring, 28, 31
training, 22, 30–31
W
website, 2
disposal facilities database, 24
enhancements, 21
information and resources on, 9, 21, 25
Wickham, Stephen, 27
Williams, Louise (Lou), 13, 20
work health and safety, 34
workers’ compensation, 34
workforce see staff
WorkSafe Tasmania, 23
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