Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Every Australian worker has the right to go to work and return home safe, yet, for years Australian workers were unknowingly exposed to enormous risks—cutting and grinding engineered stone that contains deadly crystalline silica. Silicosis has devastated families across the nation and in communities like Melton, Sunbury, and Bacchus Marsh in my electorate of Hawke. It's an incurable disease that has caused immense suffering for Australians and their families. Workers can no longer play with the children because of breathlessness, families have lost loved ones far too soon, and young tradespeople's careers have been stolen by an invisible killer—this is the human cost of silicosis, and it is truly devastating. That's why the Albanese Labor government is taking decisive action.

On 1 July 2024 we introduced a world-first prohibition on the use, manufacture, supply, processing and installation of engineered-stone bench tops, panels and slabs in Australia. On 1 January 2025 we strengthened this prohibition by extending it to the importation of engineered stone too.. The Albanese Labor government is committed to improving the conditions of Australian workers, and the most fundamental workplace right is safety. That's why we have taken a comprehensive approach to protecting workers from this deadly disease. We established the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry to track cases and ensure affected workers receive the necessary support. Additionally, Safe Work Australia has been tasked with updating workplace exposure standards and providing guidance on silica risk management.

This bill is about building on the important work the Albanese Labor government has already done, and ensures that our ban on engineered stone is enforceable, particularly at our borders. The Australian Border Force has been given clear directives to intercept and prevent the importation of engineered stone, reinforcing our commitment to workers' safety. This bill amends the Customs Act 1901 to streamline the seizure and disposal of imported engineered stone. Without this legislation the ABF would face significant logistical challenges in handling seized goods. Engineered stone is a bulk material—its storage, transportation and disposal require extensive resources. The amendments in this bill provide a clear mechanism for the immediate destruction of prohibited engineered stone following seizure. This ensures that our customs enforcement remains effective and that resources are not diverted from other critical border security operations. Without this amendment the ABF would be left to manage vast quantities of seized engineered stone, straining its capacity and diverting resources from other priorities. Under existing arrangements, seized goods must be stored while legal proceedings determine their final disposal. This process is cumbersome and impractical when dealing with bulk materials. This bill resolves that issue by allowing for immediate destruction, similar to existing provisions for other prohibited imports such as illicit drugs, tobacco and dangerous goods. Expedited disposal will free up enforcement resources, allowing the ABF to focus on deterring illegal imports rather than managing stockpiles of seized material.

This legislation would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of Australia's trade unions. For years, unions have led the charge in demanding stronger protections, raising awareness of the deadly risks of silica exposure and providing crucial support to affected workers and their families. Their relentless advocacy ensured that silicosis was recognised as an urgent public-health crisis requiring decisive government intervention.

Silicosis is unique among occupational diseases. Unlike many other workplace hazards, its cause is clear and singular: exposure to silica dust. This means every single case of silicosis is entirely preventable. In fact, 100 per cent of silicosis cases are caused by occupational exposure—100 per cent—with research from Curtin University in 2022 estimating that up to 100,000 cases of silicosis could emerge from existing workplace exposure. Without strong intervention, hundreds of thousands more workers would continue be put at risk.

The ACTU, along with individual unions representing stonemasons, construction workers and manufacturing employees, played an instrumental role in achieving this ban. Their tireless campaigning and dedication to workers' safety have directly shaped the policy decisions that bring us to this very moment. This bill is proof of what can be accomplished when unions, workers and government come together for a common cause.

When Labor's in government, workers' voices are heard and their safety is prioritised. The passage of this legislation reaffirms our commitment to protecting workers and ensuring that no-one is forced to sacrifice their health for their job. This is a vital piece of legislation. It ensures that our world-leading ban on engineered stone is enforceable and effective, and it seeks to prevent any more Australian workers and their families suffering the consequences of this devastating disease. I commend this bill to the House.

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