Page 1722 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 7 June 2016
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It is safe to say that Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related disease, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer, found anywhere in the world. The most recent report from the Australian mesothelioma registry shows that it received 641 notifications of people newly diagnosed in Australia between 1 January and 31 December 2014.
Tragically, there is no cure for mesothelioma, and the progression of the disease is rapid. The average life expectancy from point of diagnosis is nine months. Even with aggressive treatment, few people survive longer than two years. These figures do not include the terrible stress, anguish and mental health issues that arise from diagnosis for both the people exposed and their loved ones.
This government has taken decisive action to protect the community from asbestos exposure. As the Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, I have stood as a spokesman for the government’s firm stance on asbestos safety. This government has responded to the safety threats posed by asbestos through forward-thinking policies targeting the prevention of exposure in both the home and the workplace.
In 2014 our dangerous substances safety reform package legislated the most stringent asbestos safety laws and licensing arrangements in the country. By way of example, we have mandated an asbestos awareness training course for workers who carry out or may carry out work involving asbestos. Importantly, the requirement for this training extends beyond the construction industry. Workers such as pest controllers, building inspectors, telecommunications technicians and other tradespeople who may work in close proximity to materials containing asbestos must be trained. To date more than 15,000 people have attended this training. We have also provided information to assist tradespeople and home owners in understanding their duties and the risks associated with asbestos.
Today we turn to the sad reality that, despite these issues, and due to latency, instances of asbestos-related disease will continue to periodically arise for the foreseeable future. With this in mind, we must ensure that there is an adequate safety net of care and support for those in our community suffering from asbestos-related diseases arising from their employment.
Today, we are listening to debate on the bill that will modernise the territory’s private sector workers compensation scheme as it applies to asbestos diseases. It is a bill to ensure that those in our community who are suffering from the end stages of asbestos-related disease contracted due to their employment can easily and effectively access enhanced statutory workers compensation services.
The latency period between time of exposure to asbestos and diagnosis can be 20 to 40 years. In some cases it can be longer. It is this lag in time which leaves the current workers compensation framework unable to respond with the necessary efficiency and ease for workers.
Workers compensation insurance policies obtained under the Workers Compensation Act 1951 indemnify the employer only against injuries and diseases that arise during
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