Aborigines Advancement League Inc. Victoria
ABORIGINES ADVANCEMENT LEAGUE CONDEMNS FALSE CLAIMS ON NEW CENTRE
The Aboriginal Advancement League (AAL) has maintained an open and engaging approach to the community on all health and safety issues associated with the construction processes with its new Aboriginal Women’s and Girls’ Sports and Wellness Centre.
The League’s CEO, Esme Bamblett today expressed total disappointment with the CFMEU in using a First Nation initiative for political purposes without the courtesy of first consulting with the League, or seeking advice on its health and wellbeing approach before making false public claims.
“The health and wellbeing of the community around all the planning and construction work on the site for the new Centre has always been paramount in our approach to the community and to this project,” she said. “We have not failed anyone in this process and we maintain an open door and forthright approach to all our stakeholders,” she said.
“It is insulting to all First Nation people and the Project team that the CFMEU has not sought to understand the approval processes and safety approach we are taking with all the regulatory authorities, WorkSafe and other government and local council authorities to ensure we meet all safety and regulatory requirements.
“This is a national-first initiative for Aboriginal women and girls, and I cannot condemn the CFMEU more strongly on their claims, especially as we have undertaken to keep our neighbours aware of and consulted on all our procedures and processes. This consultation has included the Yappera Children’s Services.”
The AAL distributed a community notice on the 17th March 2022, advising of early works on the project along with the proposed activities and organisational structure.
The notice reiterated the importance it placed on community awareness and the adoption of a ‘matured and comprehensive approach’ to all works on site, especially to alerting the community to the past usage and nature of the property, and the potential risks associated with latent waste streams prior to AAL’s occupation and management of the property.
It noted that ‘no material’ has been found to necessitate the implementation of ground control procedures on airborne risks or materials. It advised also that consultation and site visits had included the City of Darebin, WorkSafe Vic and other parties and this would continue throughout the construction process.
“It is comforting to share that all controls, and data from these controls to date have been excellent and not discovered any risk that could have the potential to expose any worker, or person within close proximity to the works.”
Ms Bamblett emphasised that AAL and the Project Team were willing to meet in a constructive and courteous manner with any interested parties to discuss the project.
