By Shelly Collins
CANBERRA — Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) members in the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs met on December 3 to hear from Telstra, Australian Communications Authority and DIMA management on the construction of a Telstra mobile phone tower on the Green Building in Benjamin Offices in Belconnen.
Union members are concerned about the health risks. A study has shown that electro-magnetic radio-wave emissions near television towers in northern Sydney are correlated with higher rates of leukaemia for all ages. Children seemed especially vulnerable with a leukaemia incidence 58% higher than average and a leukaemia-related death rate 132% higher.
Scientists are divided about the health risk involved. The telecommunications industry claims its standards are more than adequate. Medical scientists, however, are calling for caution, saying that the existing standards take account only of the potential effects of thermal radiation. They are concerned about the non-thermal effects of prolonged exposure to low levels of emission, effects which are not established.
Paul Matters, secretary of the South Coast Labour Council, told the meeting that regulators have often lagged behind scientific and public opinion in setting health standards (e.g. asbestos and x-rays). He said the decision to allow mobile phone tower installations should rest with the people who are most affected, and should be made only after informed and open public debate. State and territory governments, he pointed out, can legislate to protect people from the possible adverse health effects.
The meeting resolved that the CPSU, at branch and national level, take up the issue on behalf of its members. The issue was also raised at the ACT Trades and Labour Council. Other unions are considering possible action in support of CPSU members.
CPSU members asked the Telstra representative at the meeting why other businesses, child-care centres and residents within reach of the emissions were not consulted. He replied that he thought it was only necessary to consult with occupants of the Benjamin Offices. The Churches Centre, parts of Belconnen Mall and some residences are closer to the emissions than the office complex.