International Workers Memorial Day

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:37): The date 28 April is the day on which the World's Trade Union Movement holds its International Workers Memorial Day for those who have been injured or tragically killed in the work place. Last year in Australia 186 people were killed at work. Hundreds more die each year as a result of work-related illness and disease, including those caused by asbestos. On this day cities around the world hold special services to honour the memory of victims and raise awareness of the need to further improve safety in the workplace to prevent occupational accidents occurring.

On Monday 28 April I had the privilege of attending the International Workers Memorial Day service and among those present was the Hon. John Rau who did the second reading. This was a special service held at the Pilgrim Uniting Church, devoted to honouring those who have lost their lives due to work place illnesses and accidents. More than 150 people attended the service, many paying tribute to family and friends they have lost.

In the prayers for workers and workplaces, Penny Jacomos from the Asbestos Disease Society of South Australia said:

We pray for all who are responsible for ensuring workplace safety—the union leaders, government officials, and members of parliament, inspectors, employers, victims' associations and health and safety representatives. Give them wisdom, foresight and courage as they seek to improve worker safety.

Joe Szakacs from SA Unions said:

We pray for our community that workplace safety become a greater priority. Help us all to see that accidents are not something that happen to others but something that we all need to be aware of and that we need to strive to overcome. We pray that safety information will always be available, be studied and become part of work practice. We ask that our safety laws, codes and guidelines are strong and effective and help ensure that accidents are prevented. We pray these things in Jesus' name.

Sentiments, I am sure, we all share. There are a number of people I would like to mention and thank, because without them this memorial would not have come together so beautifully: Kim Tolotta and Julie Siwak from SafeWork SA for preparing and promoting the service; Sandy Boyce from the Pilgrim Uniting Church for the use of the church and the hall; Joe Szakacs and Helen Adams from SA Unions for providing morning tea, flowers, balloons and the PA system for the memorial; Andrea Madeley from the Voice of Industrial Death for all her preparation work with the booklet and personalised candles and displays for the families; and Geraldine Hawkes from the South Australian Council of Churches for arranging the reflections and selecting the prayers and hymns for the service.

As we are currently set to rewrite the WorkCover laws, it is imperative that we aim to support injured workers in their recovery and return to work. As the Hon. John Rau recently stated in a press release:

These are savings in the order of $180 million per year for South Australian businesses. It is equally important for injured workers who have often been let down by the scheme in the past, and must be supported as best as possible to return to work. We have acknowledged that the scheme in its current form does not sufficiently support injured workers to return to work, leading to an increased unfunded liability and higher premiums for business.

This day is for remembering those who have lost their lives in the workplace or as a result of work-related diseases and to support those who have been injured at work. It is also important that in these times of cutting costs and job cuts, which may lead to a reduction in safe work practices, I hope and pray that there is no increase in the numbers of those workers injured or tragically killed in the workplace.

Finally, I would also like to take a moment and vale two Adelaide musicians: Jim Keays and Doc Neeson, who passed away recently. Jim Keays of The Masters Apprentices grew up in Adelaide from the age of five. A musician and later a writer, he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Doc Neeson lived in Adelaide from age 13 and as a musician for The Angels enjoyed years of local and international success. This is a great loss to the local music industry and a testament to their abilities, having reached such heights from humble beginnings. In the coming weeks we will hear more about organisations such as the Adelaide Music Collective and Support Act, which support and promote great Adelaide talent to follow in the steps of these two exceptional musicians. Our thoughts go out to their families and friends.