Forum Calls for National Blueprint for Action on Asbestos

A deadline of 2030 was set for Australia to have removed all asbestos containing materials from all homes and workplaces, including buildings, structures, ships, plant and equipment.

The forum, organised by the Victorian Trades Hall Council, passed a series of resolutions towards a process of prioritised and safe removal and disposal of all asbestos containing materials.

Resolutions also covered those already exposed and who will be exposed in the future. The forum called for increased funding for research into the early detection and treatment for asbestos related disease, and for statistics to kept and collated.

A new and non adversarial system of increased compensation for sufferers and their families was also called for.

The Asbestos Contractors Group supported the resolutions and we call on both State and Federal Governments to play their part. Not only will it save them considerable money in the future in terms of the health system and support for families, but they have a moral responsibility. After all, they allowed James Hardie to mine, manufacture and distribute asbestos containing products long after they knew, or should have known (if they’d listened to their representatives on the ground), that it was dangerous.

Like climate change, the consequences (though far less catastrophic) of doing nothing are inevitable. A great deal of asbestos containing material in buildings and other places around Australia is now “friable”, i.e. releasing fibres, and as time passes the amount increases. Thousands more people will die if nothing is done. Like other public health issues, an awareness raising campaign should be run, and the process of eliminating asbestos in Australia needs to start now!