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2012 News Feed
National Policy
2011 Happy Holidays
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2011 Newsfeed
Union calls for asbestos tests on MCA.
28 December 2011
Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art must be thoroughly tested for asbestos before workers return to continue renovations, a union says. But the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) fears it may be too late for the 400 builders already potentially exposed to the carcinogenic fibre. Asbestos has been discovered in the mortar of the sandstone building at Sydney Harbour during its $53 million makeover. "There was asbestos fibro cement right across the eastern side of this site," the union's NSW secretary, Brian Parker, told reporters on Wednesday. The union claims the workers could have been exposed to deadly airborne fibres after hacking into the building and says they were informed of the risk only in letters sent just before Christmas. Mr Parker says there have been three asbestos scares at the site, with the latest happening on December 2.
Listen to interview with CFMEU, Barry Robson (ADFA) and Tony Eastley (ABC AM News)
Listen to interview with Matt Peacock (ABC News) and Richard Wong - Museum Contractor (Watpac)
Australian Property News - $60,000 fines for not complying with the new Government Asbestos laws for buildings built prior to 1st December 2003.
16 December 2011
Fines of up to $60,000 could be dished out from January 2012 for workplaces, including unit buildings, not complying with new Federal Government law changes on asbestos. The new law will require all buildings built prior to December 1, 2003 to be inspected for asbestos-containing material (ACM) and recorded on the asbestos register. If ACM is discovered then a management plan needs to be set up so that residents or workers in the building can identify where the ACM is and how to treat it.
James Hardie compo appeal thrown out.
14 December 2011
A legal win for a man who contracted cancer from asbestos brake linings has saved as many as 20,000 future claims against manufacturer James Hardie, the sick man's lawyer says. The High Court yesterday dismissed appeals against mesothelioma-sufferer John William Booth's $326,000 payout, bringing to an end a three-year legal battle. And Mr Booth's solicitor Gerard McMahon, partner in the firm Turner Freeman Lawyers which has handled a number of mesothelioma cases, said the court win secured compensation funding for as-yet-undiagnosed patients. "The case has got fairly huge ramifications, probably for what it stopped as opposed to what it established," the solicitor said.
Australian actor Harold Hopkins dies from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.
12 December 2011
Australian actor Harold Hopkins, described by his family as a charmer and a larrikin, has died in a Sydney hospice from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. The 67-year-old was diagnosed several months ago, and died on Saturday at Neringah Private Hospital in the Sydney suburb of Wahroonga. His family said he contracted the cancer in his first job after high school, when he worked with asbestos sheeting as an apprentice carpenter in south-east Queensland in the early 1960s. He starred in hundreds of films and TV series, including Don's Party, Gallipoli and Age of Consent.
White asbestos found on Casuarina beaches sparks warnings.
9 December 2011
The Northern Territory Environment Department has erected warning signs after the discovery of pieces of white asbestos on some of Darwin's northern beaches. Locals reported seeing small, rock-like chunks washing up on the Casuarina foreshore in recent weeks and contacted the department. Department officers says the chunks were tested and identified as white asbestos chrysotile. They say the debris may have drifted from the Nightcliff foreshore and could continue to do so for some time.
Asbestos materials dumped on road in North Lismore.
8 December 2011
In what can only be described as a bizarre and frightening press release from Lismore City Council, it appears someone is illegally dumping asbestos contaminated materials on the side of the road in North Lismore - and Council wants to know who. Council says approximately one tonne of materials was dumped on the roadside and it is the second dumping within a four-month period in an almost identical location. Council is imploring the community help be their "eyes and ears" so they can put a stop to the dumping as quickly as possible.
Asbestos find delays Glenside building work.
8 December 2011
An asbestos problem will delay redevelopment work at the Glenside site in Adelaide, with 152 concrete piles encased in asbestos found. South Australian Health Minister John Hill says the 12-metre piles have been found during demolition work and are buried 10 metres into the ground. He says SafeWork SA is helping with efforts to determine whether the piles should be removed, or whether the tops can be cut off and covered with concrete. "If were to excavate and have to remove all of the (piles) the estimate is it would cost about $7 million and would add about eight weeks to the project's completion," he said.
Listen to interview with SA Health Minister John Hill
Senator The Hon Lisa Singh - Media Release
Labor Strengthens Policy on Asbestos.
5 December 2011
Asbestos has been named as a priority area at the Australian Labor Party (ALP) National Conference on the weekend. Tasmanian Senator Lisa Singh moved an amendment 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," Senator Singh said. Around 500 Australians are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year with rates expected to peak in 2020.
New legislation for 2012 - Work And Health Safety Laws.
5 December 2011
Labor to lead push for global ban on asbestos.
5 December 2011
TONY EASTLEY: Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has called for a global ban on asbestos, and he succeeded at the weekend in having the Labor Party agree that Australia lead the push to shut the industry down. More than one third of the world's nations, particularly developing countries in Asia, are expanding their use of asbestos. Health experts fear that continued use of the cancer-causing mineral will only see a big rise in deaths.
KEVIN RUDD: An amendment that commits Australia to lead the global effort towards an asbestos-free world.
Listen
Holroyd High School Asbestos Awareness Video.
1 December 2011
Fantastic job guys and thank you for helping us bring awareness to the next generation...from the ADFA Executive
Dr. Kellie Leitch Ignores Her Medical Oath: Supports Asbestos.
27 November 2011
Despite repeated petitions by her peers, Simcoe-Grey MP Dr. Kellie Leitch maintains a buyer beware approach when it comes to Canada exporting asbestos. "The Canadian government has stated that it supports the safe controlled use of Chrysotile," said Leitch. "It will continue to do so, anything to do with the decision that [buyers] make - that's their choice." More than 300 Canadian and American medical experts signed a letter sent to MP Dr. Kellie Leitch calling on her to oppose any export of asbestos from Canada.
Asbestos set to become bigger problem.
25 November 2011
Diseases related to asbestos are affecting an increasing number of people and society can't afford to become complacent, a lobby group is warning. Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world, mainly due to the extensive use of the building material between the end of World War II and the 1980s. The president of the Asbestos Disease Foundation, Barry Robson, said the number of asbestos victims is yet to peak. "Ask most Aussies and they'll tell you that asbestos-related disease in this country must be on the decline," Mr Robson said in a statement on Friday.
Canada's asbestos industry suspends work for first time in 130 years.
24 November 2011
MONTREAL-Canada's once-mighty asbestos sector has ground to a halt for the first time in 130 years, as production of the controversial fibre has stalled in both of the country's mines. A shutdown this month marked a historic milestone for the Canadian asbestos industry, which at one time dominated world production and led to the construction of entire towns in Canada. Proponents of the industry insist it's way too early write the obituary on Canadian asbestos; they're hoping to start digging again as soon as the spring. But for now, amid all the noisy political debates and a dramatic anti-asbestos news conference Thursday on Parliament Hill, Canadian production has quietly and suddenly stopped.
The Toxic Wealth of Stephan Schmidheiny. The Epic Saga of the Italian Asbestos Case.
22 November 2011
It's been twelve long years since a criminal investigation was first opened against Stephan Schmidheiny. Schmidheiny is one of the wealthiest men in Europe. And he was a majority owner of Eternit, at the time one of the world's largest asbestos companies. Now, in a courtroom in Turin, a criminal negligence trial of Schmidheiny and another Eternit owner is about to enter its third year - and its final phase. Barry Castleman is one of the world's leading experts on asbestos disease. And last year, he flew to Italy to testify on behalf of the prosecution. "It is estimated that 3,000 people have died from asbestos related disease and as a consequence of Eternit's activities," Castleman said in an interview with Corporate Crime Reporter last week. "This includes Italians who worked in the Eternit plant in Switzerland."
Reality renovators exposed to deadly disease.
10 November 2011
REALITY TV shows such as The Block and The Renovators are putting DIY home renovators at risk because they don't warn about asbestos dangers, a federal politician says. Messages at the bottom of TV screens should be displayed during programs to educate the public preparing to do renovations, Labor senator Lisa Singh told Parliament. Senator Singh, backed by asbestos campaigners, said the ratings-winning programs should grow a corporate conscience.
Senator Lisa Singh speech to the senate regarding reality shows asbestos exposure risks v's ratings.
9 November 2011
Mr President, I rise today to speak on the issue of asbestos and the failure of home renovation shows to highlight the dangers of this substance. Australians are increasingly turning their hand to DIY home renovations as renovation TV shows such as The Block, The Renovators, Backyard Blitz, just to name a few, appear on our TV screens. The community is inspired by such shows, and come the weekend, people head to their local hardware store, purchase a few tools, and then proceed to take a sledgehammer to the walls of their house. It looks easy enough when the people in these reality TV shows do it - so why not?
India & Canada's toxic trade.
8 November 2011
From his tiny, ramshackle home in Ahmedabad 71 year old Naran Mehra cuts a forlorn figure. The former power station worker is sick after years of exposure to asbestos that's used as an insulator in his workplace. 'When it would blow, my hair would turn white'. Naran Mehra Unwittingly, he brought the danger home. His wife Sevita Devi used to shake asbestos dust from his clothes before washing them and now she's also stricken with disease. With no money for proper medical care the couple have given up hope for the future.
Banton charity to face audit over funds.
5 November 2011
THE NSW government will audit the Bernie Banton Foundation in response to concerns about its spending of funds and its stalled service supporting families of sufferers of asbestos-related disease. A spokesman for the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing yesterday said it would conduct a comprehensive audit of the foundation to assess its compliance with state charity laws and its own objectives. The department is also reviewing the foundation's application to renew its fund-raising authority, which expired on October 21.
NSW Law Reform Commission - Report 131. Compensation for relatives.
3 November 2011
Huge win for ADFA and Victims.
Wattleup Residents Concerned About Asbestos.
17 March 2011
Residents in the southern Perth suburb of Wattleup say they are angry with the Government's failure to deal with asbestos at an industrial site near their homes. The site on Rockingham Road is used by demolition company Brajkovich Demolition to process construction waste. The Member for Cockburn Fran Logan says last December testing was conducted in the area and several pieces of asbestos were located.
Asbestos Fears in Massive Clean-up.
8 February 2011
Asbestos campaigner Barry Robson says the image of people cleaning up the battered debris of their fibro homes in cyclone-battered far north Queensland "strikes terror" into his heart. Mr Robson, president of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, has joined authorities to warn of the dangers of handling materials containing the carcinogen as the clean-up effort from Queensland's twin cyclone and flood disasters continues.
Asbestos Warning For Yasi Wreckage.
4 February 2011
Victims of Cyclone Yasi returning to their shattered homes should beware of contact with asbestos, the Asbestos Diseases Foundation (ADFA) of Australia said. ADFA President Barry Robson said too many lives had already been lost to asbestos disease in Australia. "Heartbroken families sifting through the remains of their houses searching for valuables may unwittingly expose themselves to asbestos contamination," Mr Robson said. "Asbestos is found in many Australian houses built before 1984, as well as in outbuildings and sheds on farms.
