$1m Busselton refuge cover-up: ALP

WA Labor has accused the State Government of trying to cover up the alleged waste of about $1 million during establishment of the Busselton Women’s Refuge.

Plans for a 32-bed refuge had to be abandoned when the Churchill Park Guest House bought by the State Government in 2012 for $990,000 was found to be contaminated with asbestos.

A smaller refuge for up to five women opened at an undisclosed Busselton location in February.

South West Labor MLC Sally Talbot said the charge for releasing about 100 documents relating to the purchase under Freedom of Information was more than $400.

“We have ended up with a second-best solution housed in another much smaller facility, despite the fact there is no other provider of crisis accommodation further south, ” Dr Talbot said.

She said questions in Parliament revealed the asbestos contamination was missed when the property was bought, despite an inspection report given to the Department of Housing.

“The Government … wasted more than one million taxpayer dollars and has refused to come clean on how such an expensive mistake was made, ” Dr Talbot said.

Department commercial and business operations acting general manager Greg Cash said the property was referred to the department in 2012 as a “short-term solution” until a more suitable property could be located.

“The purchase price of the property reflected land value only and no value was assigned to the improvements, being the Churchill Park Guest House, ” Mr Cash said.

“The department commissioned a building inspection to determine the structural integrity and overall condition of the guest house prior to purchase. This inspection was not commissioned to specifically identify the level of asbestos.”

Mr Cash said the building inspection noted the cladding was likely to contain asbestos.

“Any inspection of a private property will be limited prior to settlement when a full and thorough inspection can be undertaken, ” he said. “A thorough inspection and a lab test confirmed the presence of asbestos. The department concluded that the house was not suitable for occupation and it was subsequently demolished.”

Mr Cash said the site would be used to build up to 16 units for the affordable housing program.

He said the department was entitled to charge for provision of information under the Freedom of Information Act. He said $439.60 was an “appropriate” charge.

Shadow housing spokesman Fran Logan said a very costly mistake had been made and the Busselton community had been made to pay.

“This smacks of a massive cover-up, ” he said.

“It is outrageous to charge such an extraordinary amount of money for these documents. The public has a right to know how this happened.”

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