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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-06 Daily Xml
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ASBESTOS VICTIMS ASSOCIATION

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:47): I rise today to speak about the Asbestos Victims Association. The Asbestos Victims Association (AVA) was first formed in 2000, when a small group of individuals concerned about asbestos convened an informal meeting at Salisbury. Some had been touched by asbestosis themselves while others had been affected when loved ones had been diagnosed with the disease. However, all held the common concern about the growing epidemic of asbestos victims.

Shortly after its inaugural meeting, the AVA became an incorporated association and began lobbying for dust disease legislative reform. The AVA played an integral role during the drafting and preparation of the Dust Diseases Bill. Countless man hours were put into this project and, needless to say, they were elated when the Dust Diseases Act finally passed in 2005. This ensured that victims of asbestos could access compensation in a more streamlined fashion. The AVA continues to monitor legislation for any pitfalls and to identify areas in need of improvement and to lobby against the importation of goods containing asbestos.

The AVA also successfully campaigned strongly for James Hardie to adequately compensate asbestos victims, and it persists in its efforts to educate and promote community awareness of asbestos. Members may recall a recent discovery where motor vehicles imported from China were found to have gaskets which contained asbestos. The AVA, together with other asbestos awareness groups, was instrumental in raising this issue publicly.

In addition to this, the AVA provides a crucial support service for asbestos victims. When a positive diagnosis of asbestosis and mesothelioma is made, people often feel lost and uncertain—uncertain about legal processes, uncertain about medical treatment and uncertain about what this means to them and their family. To be able to turn to the AVA for guidance in this time of need is priceless and a huge comfort for the dozens of families who have already been helped by the AVA. Whilst the AVA as a whole has done fantastic things, I particularly want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of their president, Mr Terry Miller. Terry is an extraordinary man who has used his personal experiences to assist others.

In 2002, Terry was diagnosed with asbestosis, undoubtedly as a result of working at James Hardie's Elizabeth pipe manufacturing plant for 20 years; yet despite his personal setbacks Terry continues to give up his time and resources to meet with victims, their families and to educate the wider public about the dangers of asbestos. I have heard many accounts from asbestos victims and their families about the countless ways they have been helped by Terry, and I am pleased that his efforts were recognised when he was awarded an Order of Australia in 2007 for services to the community.

Every year, on the last Friday of November, the Asbestos Victims Memorial Day is held at Pitman Park in Salisbury. A white memorial cross is made to commemorate each asbestos victim. It is incredibly sad that the number of crosses continues to grow every year and, unfortunately, the number of asbestos victims is set to increase even more in years to come, as those exposed to asbestos as children reach their 40s, 50s and 60s. As the number of victims increases, the work that Terry and other AVA volunteers (particularly Kat and Pam) becomes even more important, and I commend them for all their tireless efforts.

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