Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, with a focus on awareness, education and prevention of asbestos related risks and disease. Asbestos kills over 4,000 Australians every year—many of whom unknowingly became exposed to asbestos dust. Despite bans on its use, asbestos diseases have been predicted to increase, in part due to exposure during home renovations. Around one in three homes in Australia, particularly those built or renovated before 1990, still contains asbestos. A website, asbestosawareness.com.au, has been created for renovators and tradies. It contains a video guide and a 20-point safety check along with other important information. I urge anyone carrying out home renovations to visit the website.

On Friday in South Australia, two services will be held to remember the growing number of victims of asbestos disease. The Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia will hold a service at the Jack Watkins Memorial Reserve in Kilburn at 7.30 in the morning, and the Asbestos Victims Association of South Australia will hold their annual service at Pitman Park in Salisbury at 10.30 am. I commend both organisations for their support to families affected by asbestos, for their ongoing asbestos education and information campaigns and for their advocacy for increased medical research and asbestos management regulations.