Grievance Debate

Miller, Mr T.

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (15:39): I rise to pay my respects to the late Terry Miller OAM. Terry Miller was a tireless advocate for South Australian asbestos victims, dedicating almost two decades of his life to support families, campaign for improved laws and continue to educate the public about the ongoing dangers of asbestos. Terry, someone whom I counted as a friend, passed away on Thursday 21 May 2018, aged 76. He is remembered by his children, Karen and Scott, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and my condolences certainly go to the family.

Terry suffered severe asbestosis following two decades of heavy asbestos exposure from working at the James Hardie pipe factory in Elizabeth West until the factory's closure in 1987. During his employment, Terry would return home covered in asbestos dust, which was stuck to his clothes, skin and hair. Over a beer, Colin Arthur would talk with Terry Miller, as they shared stories about their difficulties breathing. Upon realising that they shared symptoms, the pair decided to see whether anyone else who worked at Hardie's had the same symptoms. An advert went into the local paper and, surprised by the response, they got together and decided to hold a meeting.

Terry was part of a small group that met. That meeting grew over the following months to 70 or 80 people and resulted in members seeking medical advice on the causes of their symptoms. One by one, they received the same advice: their breathing problems were caused by exposure to and the inhalation of asbestos dust. By the year 2000, the meeting again evolved and became the Asbestos Victims Association of South Australia (AVA).

Under Terry's leadership, the AVA advocated for groundbreaking legislation, the Dust Diseases Act 2005, which made it easier for hundreds of asbestos victims to claim compensation and support. Terry became an important figure on the national stage in the fight against James Hardie as the Asbestos Victims Association campaigned to ensure that the company provided adequate compensation to its victims.

The work that Terry did over his time ensured that South Australians had a support network for people living with asbestos disease. Under Terry's leadership, the AVA created a permanent memorial at Pitman Park in Salisbury, and that site is now home to the annual Asbestos Awareness Memorial Day. In the short time I have remaining I thought I would pass on my personal thoughts regarding Terry's demeanour, generally.

Mr Terry Miller, I think it is fair to say, was a very earthy character. He was a man of great sincerity and certainly passionate for his cause. He had a unique working-class capacity to be able to cut through the rubbish. When Terry looked you in the eye and made a request, he went straight to the point. He was very matter of fact and very deliberate in his earnestness. I think that attitude, that demeanour—that no rubbish, no frills, straight to the core of the issue attitude—certainly served Terry's organisation well. More importantly, it served well the interests of all those people in our community who have suffered from asbestos-related disease.

Probably one of the most significant and unrecognised aspects of the AVA's work is not just their assistance to those people who suffer from asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases but also the work they do in ensuring that the community at large remains very aware of the real threat that asbestos still presents. Terry's organisation was at pains to ensure that all South Australians, particularly young people working in heavy industries, are aware that much asbestos still exists within our society. Keeping up community awareness around what asbestos looks like, under which circumstances it may be found and what to do but, more importantly, what not to do when encountering asbestos, were issues the AVA treated very seriously.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there are people—hardworking people—who have to use their hands on a daily basis who are alive today as a result of the work of the AVA. My condolences to the family. I am very grateful for the opportunity to put on the record the extraordinary respect I have for Mr Terry Miller OAM. May he rest in peace.