ASBESTOS AWARENESS WEEK

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:54): Can the Minister for Industrial Relations please advise the council about Asbestos Awareness Week 2012?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:55): I thank the honourable member, after that silly question, for such a sensible and caring question. Asbestos Awareness Week is fast approaching and provides a wonderful opportunity for all members to attend events and be involved in raising awareness about this critical issue. Around Australia a wide range of events and activities are being organised to highlight the ongoing dangers of asbestos, particularly to workers and home renovators. It is also a week dedicated to the families affected by asbestos-related diseases, and an opportunity to remember those who have died from asbestos-related diseases.

In South Australia Asbestos Awareness Week will run from 26 to 30 November 2012. The South Australian government, through SafeWork SA, has been working with the Asbestos Advisory Committee, the South Australian Asbestos Coalition, SA Unions, the Asbestos Victims Association and the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia to offer events and activities as part of this state's commemorations. These include a demonstration of safe asbestos removal methods and a special screening by SA Unions of an award-winning documentary made about the Eternit asbestos court case in northern Italy in 2011. The case was significant as it was the first time company directors were given gaol sentences for knowingly exposing people to asbestos.

A free seminar for people who have been exposed to asbestos or who suffer from asbestos-related diseases will be held at the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia. The seminar features a variety of speakers, including health practitioners, asbestos legal practitioners, social workers and keynote speaker, Karen Banton. Mrs Banton will speak of her late husband, Bernie Banton, who died as a result of mesothelioma. Members may be aware that Bernie Banton was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2005, in recognition of his longstanding passionate advocacy for people affected by asbestos-related illnesses.

Asbestos Awareness Week ends on Friday 30 November 2012 on a sombre note, with the commemoration of Asbestos Victims Memorial Day. The Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia is holding its annual memorial service and breakfast at Jack Watkins Memorial Park, followed by the Asbestos Victims Association holding its annual memorial service at Pitman Park. I encourage all members to attend and pay their respects to the South Australians who have died from diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos.

This government remains committed to building awareness in the workplace and in the community of the dangers associated with exposure to asbestos and the need for the safe identification, management and removal of asbestos. Our Asbestos Safety Action Plan, which commenced in 2008, is an initiative that aims to reduce illness and disease caused by exposure to asbestos by providing a comprehensive community-wide plan for the safe identification, management and removal of asbestos. It is important that we recognise initiatives such as Asbestos Awareness Week, and I thank everyone who has been involved in organising the various events and activities.