The draft gas safety strategy will include an assessment of the risks, cost and benefits of the options and provide recommendations on the best way forward for consideration by MCE before the end of June 2011.

The proposed draft strategy will explore and fully consider all relevant factual information on the causes, scale and types of carbon monoxide poisoning events (as they apply to gas appliances), as well as the proposed methods for detection of carbon monoxide in residential premises and recreational vehicles.

The motion was put into parliament by Federal Member for Murray Sharman Stone, and received bipartisan support.

Dr Stone said “The Government will be using the best available science and consulting gas industry experts to develop a strategy that will need to be taken up by all states and territories.”

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Following MCE approval of the draft strategy, the Gas Technical Regulators Committee will consult with affected and interested stakeholders to inform the preparation of a consultation regulation impact statement covering the contents of the draft strategy. This will allow the presentation of the final gas safety strategy and decision regulation impact statement, including a cost benefit analysis of the recommendations, to Ministers for consideration, noting that the Parliamentary House of Representatives considers this work urgent, and with a view to putting the strategy into effect at the earliest opportunity.