Russell Broadbent (Monash, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Asbestos was banned in Australia on 31 December 2003. On 7 December last year the Parliamentary Friends of Asbestos Related Disease acknowledged this historic anniversary. The anniversary was an important occasion to acknowledge the many people who work tirelessly to raise awareness of asbestos related disease. While every effort was made to acknowledge these wonderful people, the key advocacy group from Western Australia, the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia, the ADSA, was missed. So I wish to make amendments now. For decades the ADSA has been fighting for the rights of asbestos victims, including people who worked at the infamous mine in Wittenoom and the people who lived in that town. The ADSA pioneered groundbreaking legal action and worked closely with stakeholders, including trade unions, to raise public awareness of asbestos risks and look after the injured. As Mr Laurie Kazan-Allen rightly highlighted in his email to me, it was a glaring omission not to acknowledge the ADSA in the 20-year commemoration. So today I rise to thank them for their incredible work over many years.

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