Published Thursday, 22 February, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Federal Govt’s ABC BNE response - “tardy, uncaring and verging on callousness”: Bligh
22 February 2007
Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Anna Bligh has called on Federal Communication Minster Helen Coonan to urgently visit Brisbane and play a personal role in resolving local ABC on-going breast-cancer-related workplace issues.
Ms Bligh told State Parliament this morning that the Federal Government’s response to the health and safety of local ABC staff has been “tardy, uncaring and verging on callousness”.
“Like many women in Queensland I was alarmed when told that there had been 11 women detected with breast cancer since 1994 who have worked at the ABC Studios at Toowong; some of these women shockingly young,” she said.
“It is an unusually high number and of great concern - naturally to those 11 – but also to all those other women who have worked there - or who are still with the ABC.”
Ms Bligh detailed that despite this alarming number and the on-going questions marks - the ABC will only pay for mammograms and initial screening.
“If there is need biopsy or further treatment they have to pay for it themselves.
“However - such was the ABC’s own view of the problem it finally - and belatedly - chose in late December to evacuate its Toowong site.
“Despite this being an on-going issue – there was no contingency.
“I do not entirely blame local management - but squarely lay the blame on its executives, board and ultimately at the Federal Communication Minister Helen Coonan.”
“The ABC is proudly independent - and so it should be – but it is funded and by the taxpayer and has a Minister who must accept responsibility.
“This issue is not about broadcast independence – it is about the health of staff and their workplace – it does not get more fundamental than that.
This week, a male staff member has resigned after 17 years with the ABC, stating that he felt victimised for being the person to speak on behalf of his female colleagues.
“… for most Queenslanders they (ABC staff) are the voice or the face bringing them news, information or entertainment … we should not forget that behind those friendly smiles and voices are real people – great professionals – with a dark cloud hanging over them and someone has to fix it.
“Today I call on the Federal Minister Helen Coonan to accept responsibility for this situation.
“I call on her to come and see the circumstances for herself and to put in place a clear plan to deal with it.
“As the Minister for Infrastructure, I can say to her that the Queensland Government stands ready to work in partnership with the Federal Government to resolve the issues of location and to help find a suitable and safe location for ABC staff and as soon as possible,” said Ms Bligh.
Ms Bligh detailed to the Parliament how the local staff had been positioned around in several temporary workplaces across the city and how they were working in the most difficult of circumstances.
“I know it must not be easy to relocate modern broadcast radio and television studios.
“But this has been going on for too long,” she said.
She paid credit to the professionalism of the ABC staff who continued to deliver news and regular programs despite the trying circumstances.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379
Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Anna Bligh has called on Federal Communication Minster Helen Coonan to urgently visit Brisbane and play a personal role in resolving local ABC on-going breast-cancer-related workplace issues.
Ms Bligh told State Parliament this morning that the Federal Government’s response to the health and safety of local ABC staff has been “tardy, uncaring and verging on callousness”.
“Like many women in Queensland I was alarmed when told that there had been 11 women detected with breast cancer since 1994 who have worked at the ABC Studios at Toowong; some of these women shockingly young,” she said.
“It is an unusually high number and of great concern - naturally to those 11 – but also to all those other women who have worked there - or who are still with the ABC.”
Ms Bligh detailed that despite this alarming number and the on-going questions marks - the ABC will only pay for mammograms and initial screening.
“If there is need biopsy or further treatment they have to pay for it themselves.
“However - such was the ABC’s own view of the problem it finally - and belatedly - chose in late December to evacuate its Toowong site.
“Despite this being an on-going issue – there was no contingency.
“I do not entirely blame local management - but squarely lay the blame on its executives, board and ultimately at the Federal Communication Minister Helen Coonan.”
“The ABC is proudly independent - and so it should be – but it is funded and by the taxpayer and has a Minister who must accept responsibility.
“This issue is not about broadcast independence – it is about the health of staff and their workplace – it does not get more fundamental than that.
This week, a male staff member has resigned after 17 years with the ABC, stating that he felt victimised for being the person to speak on behalf of his female colleagues.
“… for most Queenslanders they (ABC staff) are the voice or the face bringing them news, information or entertainment … we should not forget that behind those friendly smiles and voices are real people – great professionals – with a dark cloud hanging over them and someone has to fix it.
“Today I call on the Federal Minister Helen Coonan to accept responsibility for this situation.
“I call on her to come and see the circumstances for herself and to put in place a clear plan to deal with it.
“As the Minister for Infrastructure, I can say to her that the Queensland Government stands ready to work in partnership with the Federal Government to resolve the issues of location and to help find a suitable and safe location for ABC staff and as soon as possible,” said Ms Bligh.
Ms Bligh detailed to the Parliament how the local staff had been positioned around in several temporary workplaces across the city and how they were working in the most difficult of circumstances.
“I know it must not be easy to relocate modern broadcast radio and television studios.
“But this has been going on for too long,” she said.
She paid credit to the professionalism of the ABC staff who continued to deliver news and regular programs despite the trying circumstances.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379