The boys club has protected its own for centuries. It will not stop now. Look back on Boston America, Ireland where even the police protected the church. 

The old saying I swear to tell the truth. Clergy version, I swear to the church nothing but the church above all others so help me God. 

ON April 6, 2015, (13 months ago) I wrote to the Coalition Minister for Environment, Brad Battin, regarding my concerns of the future of Mt Buffalo Chalet. 

I asked him why the former state government had rejected the MBDC $50 million proposal, considering the enormous value of the resort and why it had renewed the funding for the Grand Prix, which had no value for most of the North East. 

In a letter dated July 13, 2015, to me, he made some rather strange statements. Firstly he said the government had invested’ $7.5 million so that “…the chalet has been able to build an interpretive day centre and cafe, further enabling private sector investment in the site.” 

The last time I was up there, the only way you could get inside the security fence was with an OHS certificate and a ranger escort. All I could see of an open café was a rotten window frame and a hole in the wall. 

As most locals know, the $7.5 million was from the insurance payout from Tatra Inn burning down, not a new investment.

He also blamed the current government, but this has only been in power for about four months, whereas the building’s deterioration became evident just after the last government came into office. 

I’ve written back to him asking him how his government could possibly afford the $1.3 billion to revamp Flinders Street station when it couldn’t afford $35 million to restore the chalet, but the cat seems to have got the minister’s tongue and I’m still waiting for his reply.

IN THE 1960s and 70s, loose-fill asbestos was used as insulation in homes in NSW.

Twenty-eight local government areas in NSW, including Albury City Council, have been identified so far as being affected by loose-fill asbestos.

The NSW government has determined that demolition, comprehensive site remediation and disposal are the best ways to ensure the community is kept safe.

Until August 1 this year, homeowners whose properties were built prior to 1980 are eligible to register for free sample testing.

The cost of remediation can be quite high. If you discover loose-fill asbestos in your property after August 1, you may be responsible for this cost.

It will also be a legal requirement in future to disclose loose-fill asbestos in contracts for sale or lease. At the end of February, 102 test registrations were recorded in Albury.

I urge homeowners not to miss the opportunity to register for free sample testing by August 1. NSW Fair Trading is holding a community forums about loose-fill asbestos.

We are here to support you and want to reassure those concerned that the government is offering assistance to affected homeowners.

If you’d like to register for free sample testing, please visit www.loosefillasbestos.nsw.gov.au or call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

The Border Mail is pleased to announce it will run a weekly letter of the week competition - the lucky winner receives a double pass from Regent Cinemas Albury to watch a movie of their choice. Email submissions to letters@bordermail.com.au