Shadow Minister for Health Leanne Castley is calling on the ACT Labor-Greens Government to install defibrillators in all government buildings across the ACT, including workplaces and schools.

Currently there is no requirement in the ACT for defibrillators to be available in public buildings, which could be costing the lives of up to 100 Canberrans a year according to St John Ambulance.

“Quick access to a defibrillator is often the difference between life and death,” Ms Castley said.

“Following sudden cardiac arrest, the chances of survival decrease by up to 10 per cent for every minute that passes.

“St John Ambulance has been calling for defibrillators to be more readily available in the ACT but the government has ignored the issue.

“Less than half of ACT government schools have defibrillators on campus and Canberra has the opportunity to lead the nation with this life-saving initiative.

“The Canberra Liberals are calling for a commitment from the Labor-Greens Government to ensure that every Canberran working or visiting an ACT Government building has access to a lifesaving defibrillator when they need it.”

Each defibrillator costs $2500 for installation and upkeep. St John Ambulance estimates it would cost the government $1 million to provide 400 defibrillators which is enough for all our schools, government buildings and buses.

The motion which Ms Castley will introduce in the Legislative Assembly today also calls for a public education campaign, legislation to mandate defibrillators in public buildings and for the government to examine installing defibrillators on all Canberra buses.