Last year, Queensland Health cleared the ABC Brisbane studios of any known or probable link between the high number of breast-cancer cases among ABC employees and the office site. It did not conduct environmental testing on the basis that there was insufficient evidence to suggest it was necessary.

In July 2006 another employee was diagnosed with breast cancer, bringing the total number of reported cases to 12 in 11 years.

Grave concerns for the health and safety of ABC Brisbane employees were sounded, with staff walking off the job and demanding the Toowong office be relocated as a matter of urgency. While some returned the following day, a number of staff said they were not prepared to continue working at the site. Even Labor’s foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd likened the ABC Brisbane studios to a “Bombay slum”.

ABC managing director Mark Scott organised free mammograms and counselling for employees. But the future location of the office, according to Scott, will be determined by the findings of an independent investigation into the incidents of breast cancer. The findings of such an investigation could take months.

Alliance Qld branch secretary David Waters told the ABC: “The unions are in negotiations with management about alternative work arrangements for them so they can continue working.

“No-one should be forced to work in such an environment. In the minds of employees, there’s no doubt what we’re dealing with here is a cancer cluster.”

Staff have launched a community petition stating their concerns over the breast-cancer cluster at the Toowong site. To date, more than 400 people across the country have signed.