VTHC – Towards a National Blueprint for action on Asbestos

An Asbestos Awareness Week Forum

Tuesday 24 November 2009
9:00am – 12:00 noon
Meeting Room 1
Victorian Trades Hall Council

A forum to discuss all aspects of asbestos in Australia

Where are we up to?
Where do we want to be? By when?
How do we get there?

Issues the forum will cover include:
Existing law
Current initiatives (Tasmania’s Prioritised Removal Program)
Current and future challenges and opportunities

Speakers will make short presentations on
*Workplace legislation
*Home legislation
*Removal work
*Waste disposal
*Compensation legislation
*Rehab
*Social healing
*Early detection and treatment
*Role of government – WorkSafe, EPA,
*Leadership by Federal, State and local government
*Registers – the Mesothelioma Register, Asbestos- free buildings Register

To register
Name ………………………………………………………..…………….
Union/ Organisation …………………………………………………
Email ……………………………………………………………………..
Phone ……………………………………….…………………………….
Any dietary requirements …………………………….…………
There is a registration fee of $30

Other Events

Tuesday Nov 24th & Wed Nov 25th – The Asbestos Information and Support Service (AISS)
AISS will be running a one hour information session on asbestos, including the medical and legal aspects, in both Melbourne and Geelong

GEELONG
Tuesday 24 November 2009 – Wesley Uniting Church Hall; 100 Yarra Street, Geelong
12-1pm, followed by free lunch

MELBOURNE
Wednesday 25 November 2009: Sunshine Uniting Church Conference Centre, 28 Withers Street, Sunshine
12-1pm, followed by free lunch

Friday 27th November

Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria (ADSVIC)
ADSVIC is also holding its annual Asbestos Commemoration Ceremony at 11am, Friday 27th November.

The Governor of Victoria, David de Kretser AC Governor of Victoria and Martin Kingham will speak and members of the DUST choir with Mick Thomas, formerly of Weddings, Parties, Anything will present songs. The ceremony is a remembrance of lives needlessly lost to asbestos. Asbestos is a a problem of epidemic proportions killing around 800 people every year from the cancer mesothelioma Show your support for action on asbestos. Join us to send a message to the State Government about the dangers of asbestos in public and private housing. We are seeking to attract a strong media focus at the ceremony and your presence will add weight to the call for government action on asbestos.

A BBQ on the banks of the Yarra will follow the ceremony.

Gards are also holding an event in Morwell, which we are unable to attend.

Friday November 27th

GARDS - Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Group
Asbestos Awareness Day Ceremony, Venue: Rose Garden in Morwell, 11.00am

The ceremony will be followed by free BBQ lunch with the compliments of Gippsland Trades & Labour Council – all most welcome to attend. For further information contact Vicki Hamilton 0407274173 or the GARDS office: 5127 7744

Matt’s research exposes the culpability of James Hardie in the manufacture and use of asbestos materials, as well as their attempts to avoid being held responsible for the spread of this deadly product.

Also speaking will be Jim Ward,  a project officer for the AWU, who will report on the latest developments in Tasmania.

The final speaker will be our very own Pat Preston,  former OH&S manager for the Victorian Branch of the CFMEU who has decades of experience with asbestos and is an acknowledged “expert”.

Pat is a currently a consultant to the Asbestos Contractors Group and represents us on the WorkSafe Asbestos Stakeholders Reference Group.

The event will be held on Thursday October 15th at 8.15am.  Please contact us for more information.

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