1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: Well, the Northern Territory Government is reassuring Territory ands that 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: all Northern Territory Government schools remain open with no school 3 00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: closures required following the national recall of several children's colored 4 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:16,280 Speaker 1: sand products. Now joining us on the show with Susan Barden, 5 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:18,760 Speaker 1: who's the CEO of the Department of Education. 6 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 2: Good morning, Susan, Good morning Katie, and a pleasure to 7 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:22,119 Speaker 2: be here with you. 8 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, lovely to have you on the show. Now, where 9 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: is the testing at with the schools? Is it all 10 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: sort of done now? Yes? 11 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 2: So we've done some quite extensive work over the last 12 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 2: few days, and I do want to thank and acknowledge 13 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:36,159 Speaker 2: the work of our principles and our schools who've been 14 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 2: working very quickly to address this issue, as well as 15 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 2: our department staff. And we have been working very closely 16 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 2: with nt Work Safe as well as the Chief Health 17 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: Officer on this because our absolute number one priority is 18 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 2: that our children and our staff are safe. So what 19 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 2: occurred is once we were aware of the recall by 20 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 2: the A Triple C. We're really fortunate that one of 21 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 2: the providers actually gave us a list of sixty schools 22 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: where they had sold the product. To directly. So our 23 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 2: first port of call was to contact those schools to 24 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 2: make sure that the sand was secure or whether it 25 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 2: had been actually used, and then obviously briefing the principles 26 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 2: and then getting them to do a double check as well. 27 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,800 Speaker 2: Over the weekend, we had ten schools that we identified 28 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 2: in the Darwin, Palmerston and rural area where we did 29 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 2: some air sampling because we wanted to be reassured that 30 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 2: there was no airborne asbestos. Those test results all came 31 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 2: back clear. So now we're very much focused on the cleaning. 32 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 2: And the cleaning is quite a laborious process because we 33 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 2: have to get special asbestos cleaners in. They have to 34 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 2: wipe down everything. They have very special high suction vacuum cleaners. 35 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 2: Classrooms are corded off while that cleaning occurs, and then 36 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 2: they have to have an asbestos ascessor come in after 37 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 2: to check that the cleaning is done appropriately and all clear. 38 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:55,559 Speaker 2: So we're healing quite assured that the classrooms are safe 39 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 2: once that cleaning's occurred. 40 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, So Sousan, is this say, like, is it a 41 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: product bitch you use by the littleies? You know, it's 42 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: like a sensory sort of tool or why would they 43 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 1: have it in the classrooms. 44 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 2: So it's got a range of uses, Katie. So it 45 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 2: is a sensory play object, so children do like the 46 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 2: touch and feel of the kinetic sand and the color sand. 47 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 2: It's also used with art and craft. So it's used 48 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:21,279 Speaker 2: mostly in our early years classrooms, so in our preschools, 49 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 2: in our transition classrooms, but also in some of our 50 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: high support needs classrooms and even sometimes counselors use it 51 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 2: as a bit of a play therapy tool as well. 52 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,079 Speaker 2: So right, it has a range of purposes that it's 53 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: used for. 54 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 1: So how are we in a situation in the Northern 55 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: Territory where the schools I know there were three three 56 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: schools or three early learning centers I think that had 57 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: to have cleaning done yesterday or had to sort of 58 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 1: close yesterday. But how are we in a situation in 59 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory where all the schools haven't had to 60 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:50,639 Speaker 1: be closed down like they did in the act. 61 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 2: So we did have three early learning centers who were 62 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 2: closed yesterday, that was for precautionary cleaning. All of the 63 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 2: NT government schools have remained open. We receive advice from 64 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 2: Anti work Safe as well as the asbestos contractors who 65 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 2: do the air testing, etc. So they assure us that 66 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 2: it is safe. But across the board, the advice from 67 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 2: our chief health officer as well as what we're hearing 68 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,240 Speaker 2: nationally from the A Triple C is it's very very 69 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 2: low risk. It's at risk only if it's absolutely pulverized 70 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 2: into a dust and you breathe it in. So if 71 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 2: little ones eat it, they're okay yeh, which some do, yeah, right, 72 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 2: But it is more around if it's a very fine 73 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 2: grain dust, and because the product is actually a sand, 74 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 2: it's low risk that that would happen unless it's mechanically pulverized. 75 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, okay. And so for parents out there listening this 76 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: morning who might be feeling a little bit concerned from 77 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: the sound of it, the schools have gone through quite 78 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: an extensive process now or they will be, to make 79 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: sure everything's claimed and that there is no trace of 80 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: it whatsoever. 81 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's correct. And I think it's different because I'm 82 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 2: responsible for a workplace, so as a workplace, I have 83 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 2: to make sure that it's safe and secure for our 84 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 2: staff and our students. But for families at home if 85 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 2: they've got this particular product in their cupboard, go to 86 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 2: anti work safe and just follow the advice for anti 87 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: works back work safe, but it does need to be 88 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 2: disposed of carefully and in particular location. 89 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I guess so for parents that maybe have their 90 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: kids at school, they can be assured that absolutely that 91 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 1: cleaning process has happened. 92 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 2: Yes, I think those classrooms will be the cleanest they've 93 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 2: ever been. 94 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, they probably will be. Goodness knows what the kids 95 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: put in there. Otherwise. I know that there were a 96 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 1: number of schools that implemented alternative learning arrangements as you 97 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,839 Speaker 1: touched on those early learning centers. But are they all 98 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 1: sort of theay back to normal today? 99 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 2: Yes, So the cleaning is just about completing the kind 100 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 2: of schools that were quite impacted. So that was humpty 101 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:50,600 Speaker 2: do in Giroween schools. So they've got classes back online today, 102 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 2: Bradshaw and Alice Springs classes back online today. So we 103 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 2: are working through those classrooms that have been isolated methodically. 104 00:04:57,800 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 2: It will take a little bit of time to do that, 105 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 2: but we are focusing on the schools and are most 106 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 2: impacted first. So the other schools that have got alternative 107 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 2: programs include Nightcliff Driver Primary School as well as Woodroffe 108 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,840 Speaker 2: Primary School, so they'll be the next schools that we'll 109 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 2: particularly focus on. 110 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:18,040 Speaker 1: Okay, now, in terms of the Department sort of coordinating 111 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:22,039 Speaker 1: within t work, safe health authorities, as bestos contractors to 112 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: make sure all of those products are recalled safely and removed, 113 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 1: Like how do you do it so that you can 114 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: make sure it doesn't happen again. 115 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,479 Speaker 2: Our advice to schools at the moment is actually to 116 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 2: remove all of the sand products. So as you'd be aware, 117 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 2: we had one tranch of recalls on the Friday and 118 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 2: then another tranch on Sunday, so there were different products. 119 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 2: So being unsure of what else will be found in 120 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,480 Speaker 2: some of these colored sand products, our suggestion to schools 121 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,640 Speaker 2: is just to remove all of them at this point 122 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 2: in time. 123 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree. I think better to be safe, isn't it. Well, 124 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:56,960 Speaker 1: Susan really appreciate you coming into the studio this morning 125 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: and having a chat with us and really talking us 126 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 1: through the Apartment of Education's response. And I guess from 127 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:04,840 Speaker 1: this point on, you know, if there is any any 128 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: further sand located or anything like that being used in 129 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 1: the schools, I'm assuming that the Department of Education is 130 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:14,119 Speaker 1: probably saying everybody just stay away from it at this point. 131 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:15,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's correct. Yeah. 132 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,919 Speaker 1: Well, CEO of the Education Department, Susan Bowden, really appreciate 133 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 1: your joining us today. Thanks so much for your time. 134 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: Thank you, Katie, thank you.