ABC confirms three staff deaths as 13 studios remain contaminated with asbestos
The studios are believed still to contain asbestos despite the broadcaster confirming that three former staff members had died from past exposure.
At least 13 ABC studios across the country remain contaminated with asbestos, despite the broadcaster confirming the deaths of three former staff members as result of past exposure.
A response to questions on notice provided to The Australian reveals ABC studios in Darwin, Launceston, Hobart, Kununurra, Collinswood, Rockhampton, Mount Isa, Longreach, Geelong, Warrnambool, Dickson and Tamworth were not asbestos-free as of September this year.
According to the broadcaster’s asbestos register, ABC Geelong was last reviewed for asbestos more than seven years ago in March 2018, while Kununurra was last reviewed in March 2021 and Tamworth in November 2022.
All of these studios were described as a “leased premises” and unlike other studios listed on the register, none had a future review date noted.
The asbestos status at Brisbane Parliament House, Charleville and Warragul was unclear, with their rows left blank in the spreadsheet.
The register noted ABC Darwin was last reviewed in May 2008 but said no further review was required.
“Asbestos is in an internal brace in a Telecom in-ground cement fibre pit underneath a ramp,” it stated.
In response to questions on notice asked by Queensland Liberal National Party senator James McGrath in 2025-26 budget estimates, the ABC said three former personnel had died from asbestos or mesothelioma, which could be attributed to their time working at the ABC’s former Elsternwick site.
In another response to questions on notice from Liberal senator Sarah Henderson – who said she was an employee at the ABC’s former Elsternwick studios in Melbourne at the time asbestos was found – the ABC said it was aware of two deaths as a result of exposure to asbestos between 1984 and 1990.
ABC chief financial officer Melanie Kleyn at Senate estimates later said the response was inaccurate and the number of deaths was three. “Based on employee records, screening has been offered to Elsternwick and Broadcast House staff,” the response said. “Since February 2025, the ABC has been responding to inquiries from current and previous staff.”
The broadcaster said in July this year that staff on a “voluntary exposure list” were invited to contact the ABC regarding a medical assessment and reimbursement. “The voluntary exposure list was established for any staff member who had worked at the Elsternwick location, allowing them to record their name in case any issues arose in future years,” it said.
“Staff were actively encouraged to add details to the list. Those staff who responded have been provided with information on the screening process.”
The ABC said it maintained an asbestos register which identified asbestos-containing material across ABC sites.
“Where building works or renovations provide an opportunity to remove known asbestos from ABC facilities, these works are undertaken,” it said. “Any asbestos in buildings is monitored and managed consistent with legislative requirements.
“Asbestos awareness training is provided to all workers and contractors and reinforced during site-specific inductions where asbestos is present.”
The documents provided also included emails from concerned former employees, and an ABC Victoria asbestos register from about 1978, which noted the conditions of certain parts of studios as “poor”.
The ABC said 645 staff had self-identified in 1984 as being exposed to asbestos at the Elsternwick site. An additional 98 from Elsternwick and Ripponlea and another 14 from other Victorian ABC sites had later added themselves to the potential exposure list.
In response to questioning about the asbestos from Senator Henderson on Tuesday, ABC managing director Hugh Marks said it was a “horrific situation” and the broadcaster was doing its best to “remedy and rectify” the situation and “allay any fears of staff”.
“I think something that concerns many corporations, businesses, governments around the country,” he said. “We’re deeply, obviously, concerned for any of our staff who’ve suffered loss or even the worry of potential loss that ... must sit at the back of your mind having worked in some of these facilities over time,” he said.
“The register is available, there is an ongoing work program to ensure there is no exposure to asbestos that would be harmful, that program is constantly being assessed and reviewed and we’ll continue that exercise until we can get rid of asbestos off every premises but it takes time as we all know.”
Ms Kleyn said the answers provided to Senator Henderson on notice had contained inaccuracies and confirmed the ABC was aware of the deaths of three staff who had died in relation to exposure to asbestos who may have had exposure at the broadcaster’s Elsternwick site.
“We cannot, of course, actually confirm it was due to being at those sites,” she said.
Ms Kleyn said the period of asbestos exposure was from the 1950s and the mid to late 1980s at Elsternwick and Broadcast House.
She said she couldn’t say how many personnel had an asbestos-related disease, and the ABC had appropriate processes in place to deal with the asbestos.
Opposition communications spokesperson Melissa McIntosh said it was “very alarming” that the ABC did not disclose the asbestos locations in Senate estimates in October.
“The uncovering of this register would naturally be a worry to thousands of current and former ABC staff, and the ABC must prioritise them,” Ms McIntosh said.
“I am extremely concerned that so many former ABC employees including my parliamentary colleague senator Sarah Henderson were left in the dark, not knowing about the extent of the asbestos exposure or the support being offered by the ABC.
“I would like to receive a thorough explanation from the ABC as to what they are doing to address this issue, and expect the Communications Minister and the Albanese Labor government to step up and ensure everything is being done for the potentially impacted ABC staff. This is now on their watch.”
