Asbestos - An ALP Priorty

Saturday, 3 December 2011

Asbestos has been named as a priority area at the Australian Labor Party (ALP) National Conference on the weekend.

I was pleased to move a resolution that the Labor Party pledge to work with State and Territories to ensure all Australian workers were protected from exposure to asbestos-related disease.

The resolution also said that Labor would continue cooperation with international labour organisations and countries to ensure workers across the world were protected from asbestos.

Asbestos is a deadly carcinogen and it is unacceptable that anyone continue to be exposed to it in the workplace or that it continues to be used.

Around 500 Australians are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year with rates expected to peak in 2020.

Australia leads the world in its occupational health and safety regime, because we believe everybody has the right to come home from work without injury or illness.

This principle must not stop at our borders. Australia is in a position to educate and assist other countries to rid themselves of asbestos.

We simply cannot allow this substance to continue ruining people's lives.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd also moved an amendment to the platform, committing the Gillard Labor Government to lead international calls for a global treaty to ban the use of and trade in asbestos. Under this resolution, Australia will host a global conference in 2012 in partnership with civil society and the International Labour Organization.

An international ban on the use and trade of asbestos was badly needed.

Despite extensive international condemnation, asbestos is still mined in Canada and exported to India where it is used as a cheap building product.

We have known for decades that exposure to asbestos results in painful and deadly diseases such as mesothelioma yet it is still used in many parts of the world.

Although Australia banned asbestos use in 2003, its deadly legacy remains in our buildings.

Australia must work to ensure all people are protected from asbestos related disease and these changes to the ALP platform will help ensure this occurs.

My amendment:

Labor will work with states and territories to ensure all Australian workers are protected from exposure to asbestos related disease (ARD). Labor will also work in a cooperative manner with international labour organisations and countries to ensure workers across the world are protected from ARD.

Minister Rudd amendment:

Labor recognises the impact of asbestos on the health of those who are exposed to it and the legacy that it will leave, particularly on vulnerable people in the developing world, where exporters are focussing their trade to ensure the continued high usage of asbestos.

Labor will lead international calls for a global treaty to ban the use of and trade in asbestos and will lead diplomatic efforts on this front including convening a Global Alliance against the Asbestos Hazard Conference in Australia.