Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Nobody should go to work and contract diseases that kill them. That's why I rise here today in support of the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Bill, which delivers on the recommendations of the National Dust Disease Taskforce. As a co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Lung Health and Lung Cancer, our mission is very clear: to prioritise lung diseases and raise awareness. Every breath matters, and our efforts aim to ensure healthier lives for everyone. The rate at which we are seeing silicosis and other occupational respiratory diseases rising in Australia is unacceptably high. Nearly one in four engineered stone workers who were in the industry prior to 2018 has been diagnosed with silicosis or other silica dust related diseases, and this number is still predicted to rise, most notably among young men. These are distressing facts and figures for illnesses that are entirely preventable, and all too often lead to entirely preventable deaths.

By working together, we can achieve a future free from preventable illnesses. That is why we are committed to tackling occupational respiratory diseases. We're undertaking a suite of reform to ensure Australia's prevention and treatment measures are world class and protecting workers from unacceptable health risks. That is why we've taken the recommendation of the National Dust Disease Taskforce to establish a national occupational respiratory disease registry seriously. The national registry will allow for the reporting of all occupational respiratory diseases, and it will ensure that everybody who contracts an occupational dust related disease will have that recorded on the register. But, most importantly, if you have silicosis, that recording will be absolutely mandatory. The national registry rules capture information relating to respiratory diseases that are believed to have been occupationally caused or exacerbated and support the use of this information to truly understand the scale of these diseases in Australia and to take action to reduce further exposures in the workplace.

As a proud ambassador in South Australia of the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia, I've witnessed firsthand some of the fantastic work that groups out in the community are doing in this area. I've also witnessed firsthand the great work that the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia is doing. It continues to provide enormous support for sufferers of asbestos related diseases. The Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia was set up in 2005 by the late Jack Watkins. Jack was a long-time campaigner for asbestos victims and a sufferer of asbestos disease. A commendable initiative by the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia and fostered by the Enfield council is the Jack Watkins Reserve, which is in my electorate of Adelaide. The park is home to a memorial for victims of dust related diseases, and every year we lay wreaths for people that have been lost to these dreadful dust diseases. Jack Watkins Reserve serves as a reminder of the lives impacted by these diseases and provides a place for the community to come together to honour the memory of those loved ones that they've lost. I'm very honoured to be able to speak about a remarkable individual whose dedication has made a profound impact on the lives of many.

The current president of the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia, Mr Peter Photakis, stands as a beacon of hope in our community, and I'm proud to have him in my electorate of Adelaide. It is through the tireless efforts of individuals like Mr Photakis that the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia is a symbol of support, understanding and advocacy for those affected by asbestos related illnesses. Attending events hosted by Peter and his team is always a privilege, but it also brings home the angst associated with dust diseases. It is an opportunity where you witness firsthand the incredible work that they accomplish. It is also a chance to connect with the people involved and hear their stories. These accounts are challenging to accept, but they are the harsh reality for many people. Peter receives at least two to three phone calls a week from individuals that have either just been diagnosed with a dust related disease or are worried about the potential of it happening. Whilst the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia is based in my wonderful electorate of Adelaide, the people calling Peter come from all over Australia.

Silicosis has become an alarming concern, reaching a point where both asbestos and silicosis are prominent issues that we must confront. We need to get it sorted out before it gets any worse. The urgency is undeniable.

Now, unlike asbestos related cancers that take decades to manifest, silicosis can take merely six years to pose a significant threat to one's health. The gravity of this problem extends beyond manufactured stone. Correct personal protective equipment and education is vital in preventing it.

Along with the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia, another great South Australian organisation working hard to protect and look after those impacted by dust related diseases lies in my electorate, again in Adelaide: the Asbestos Victims Association. The James Hardie factory in Elizabeth in South Australia once manufactured asbestos products. Many people worked there. Colin Arthur's efforts led to the formation of the Asbestos Victims Association, and they've been campaigning for justice and compensation for victims ever since. The Asbestos Victims Association's advocacy, including support from members of parliament here, resulted in legal changes benefiting asbestos victims. Melissa Haylock's case led to a groundbreaking legal precedent allowing compensation for services as a mother. Peter Beinke, an electrician diagnosed with asbestos disease, left a bequest to support regional patients seeking treatment in Adelaide.

These organisations work tirelessly because they're committed to helping asbestos victims, and we must stand by them in their efforts with the legislation that we produce in this place. Workers' health is not up for negotiation. We need to continue to implement, and enforce rigorously, regulations that govern workplace safety. These regulations will be regularly updated to ensure they reflect the latest technology and knowledge about health risks. Education is a key and training is necessary. The government is fully dedicated to this.

So let's move forward with determination, unity and compassion. Let's banish silicosis, and asbestos and other dust related diseases, from our workplaces for good. The government is committed, because workers' health, as I said earlier, is not negotiable. So I hope everyone stands behind this legislation. Let's stand behind the Australian workforce and a promise that their health and wellbeing matters above all else. By establishing this registry, we are sending a clear message: nobody should go to work and contract diseases that kill them.

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