Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Wednesday I attended a memorial service in Mount Compass to remember those who have died from asbestos related diseases. We know asbestos kills. While we banned, in this place, the manufacture, sale and importation of it 20 years ago the legacy of asbestos will be with us for so much longer. Approximately 4,000 Australians die every year from asbestos related diseases and around 700 die to mesothelioma.

The memorial was emcee'd by June Taylor, a very familiar name to people on the South Coast, and was organised by Catherine Wegener and Ruth Goddard who have created the Fleurieu Support Group for Asbestos Victims Association. Both Catherine and Ruth lost their husbands to asbestos related diseases. I was struck, on the day, by how many widows were sitting at that lunch. They were women who'd lost their much loved husbands. Those men were going to work and earning a living to support their families and the exposure took their lives prematurely.

I'd like to sincerely thank Catherine and Ruth—and June—for their tremendous work in raising awareness about asbestos and for supporting others experiencing grief and loss.