Peter Khalil (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

As the government, we are aware that the current rates of silicosis and other occupational respiratory diseases are totally unacceptably high in Australia. Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease. It affects workers who are exposed to silica dust—mainly in the construction and mining industries and those working in engineered stone industries. Currently there are no effective treatments for silicosis. Once damage from silicosis occurs, it cannot be reversed. The treatment tends to focus on slowing down progression and relieving symptoms. In severe cases, a lung transplant is required.

Silicosis is said to have been causing death and disability to Australian workers for over 100 years. According to the Lung Foundation Australia, around 600,000 Australian workers are potentially exposed to silica dust each year across various industries. Tragically, these are preventable conditions and often preventable deaths. Everyone has the right to feel safe and protected at work. This government is adamant and passionate about making sure that is the case. Workers should not be exposed to unacceptable risks in workplaces, fall ill or die because their employer failed—

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