Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

All Australians, regardless of their occupation or how they're engaged, have a right to healthy and safe work. The rapid emergence of new cases of accelerated silicosis, particularly amongst those working with engineered stone, is of deep concern.

The coalition has been aware of this for some time. The previous government took action. Back in 2019, it established the National Dust Disease Taskforce, as part of a $5 million election commitment, to investigate the growing number of silicosis cases in individuals working in the engineered stone industry and develop a national approach for the prevention, early identification, control and management of occupational dust diseases in Australia.

In establishing the taskforce, we committed $5.1 million to support the work of the taskforce, including funding for new research to better understand, prevent and treat preventable occupational lung diseases. This is a really serious concern affecting many workers, and that's why we support this Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) Bill 2024.

The purpose of the amendment is to amend the Customs Act of 1901, to allow for the expedited seizure and disposal of prohibited engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs, because of the engineered stone products that are imported into Australia. To support the domestic use prohibition, a ban on the importation of engineered stone came into effect this year, through changes to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. To support the proposed amendments of the prohibited imports regulations this bill contains amendments to the Customs Act that will enhance seizure and disposal powers and support the Australian Border Force to effectively administer and manage engineered stone goods at the border, once the import prohibition commences.

This is important legislation because it will protect Australian workers. One of the most important things for people is their health. All workers should be able to go and earn a day's wage, doing their job, vocation, profession or whatever it may be, and not be concerned about incurring serious injury or health challenges as a result of the work. That's why we support this bill. That's why we're keen to see it through. The purpose of it is to protect Australian workers.

Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm proud to continue to speak and advocate for the end of the use of engineered stone in this country. This legislation is another step to protect Australian workers. The Albanese Labor government believes that every Australian should have the right to go to work and return home safely. A big part of this is making sure Australian workers are protected from the risks of life-threatening diseases.

This government has taken massive steps to protect Australian workers from the harms of working with engineered stone and the resulting silicosis and silica related diseases. We have seen the dangers and long-lasting consequences workers can have from working with this product and, while we have made domestic changes, this Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) Bill 2024 gives the Australian government methods to dispose of engineered stone effectively.

It prevents a gap that businesses who don't care much for their workers could exploit by importing these materials into this country, leaving the average working Australian and their loved ones vulnerable to the effects of the associated dangerous diseases. Along with my colleagues, I have met people who have been impacted directly by this dreadful disease, throughout this and the last term of parliament. I have listened to workers who have seen friends and families impacted by this insidious disease firsthand. I have also met and listened to workers who are suffering with the disease that affects their lungs.

I'm passionate for this essential change because, when the delegation from the Australian Council of Trade Unions came into my office to share their stories, it became pretty clear that this epidemic of work related diseases was having a devastating impact across Australian communities. The story that I remember very strongly was one from Joanna. After returning from maternity leave, Joanna was asked to undergo a fit-for-work test. The test result changed her life, and not in a good way. The 34-year-old mother of two girls was diagnosed with silicosis. When she talked about it in my office, she explained how the unknown was the terrifying part. There is no cure and there are no clear steps to show how the illness will progress. How could she be fine for the rest of her life and have a rapid decline in her standard of living? She said: 'At the moment I feel healthy, but I don't know if that will be the case in one year, let alone five years or 10 years. For a young mum of two kids, that terrifies me.'

Debate interrupted.