Page 3939 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 25 November 2014
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One of the advantages I can see of adopting this new regulation is that it will clarify the regime before the commencement of the Mr Fluffy asbestos remediation program, including in relation to residential premises. As New South Wales has adopted the model regulation, it will also harmonise our laws with New South Wales and allow mutual recognition of assessors and removalists. This will mean a larger group of assessors and removalists will be able to work in the territory at a time when these skills will be in great demand. It will reduce the chance of there being delays in the assessment and remediation of the affected properties.
To conclude, I will be supporting the bill to implement these improvements to ACT asbestos management. Asbestos has left an awful legacy in the ACT, affecting many people’s health and property. It is critical that we continue to have an effective regulatory regime to deal with it and to protect the people who will be working with asbestos or who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos. In my view, this bill and the model regulation will improve administration of the asbestos framework, improve its application to residential properties and have the advantage of harmonising our system with New South Wales.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Planning, Minister for Community Services, Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Minister for Children and Young People and Minister for Ageing) (10.39): As the minister responsible for workplace safety, I am extremely proud to be part of a government that has taken such a firm stance on asbestos safety. This asbestos safety reform package contains forward thinking policies aimed at preventing exposure in the home and in the workplace.
The government will no longer accept complacency about asbestos. Although the risks of contracting an asbestos-related disease are relatively low, the consequences are grave. Most work health and safety failures have immediate consequences. You might break a leg or burn a hand. In contrast, what is out of sight is all too often out of mind and asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma can have a latency period of up to 40 years.
However, the figures referred to by the Chief Minister when introducing the bill are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by asbestos. It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 40,000 diagnosed cases of asbestos-related lung cancer in Australia and an additional 13,000 Australians will have developed mesothelioma. These statistics alone should remove any semblance of complacency about asbestos safety.
It is also important to note that these statistics do not capture information relating to mental health issues arising from asbestos exposure. The stress and anguish felt by those who have been exposed to asbestos can be long lasting.
As with most reform packages, the first step needs to be education. Earlier this year the territory mandated an asbestos awareness training course that must be undertaken by workers who carry out, or may carry out, work involving asbestos from 1 October. A list of occupations that must undertake this training course was also declared.
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