A new government report which was released on the 17 August 2012 is calling on Australia to be asbestos free by the year 2030. This is hoped to be achieved by removing all construction materials which contain asbestos from both government and commercial buildings throughout Australia.
Bill Shorten the Minister of Workplace Relations who released the report has said that during the 20th century, Australia had one of the highest usage rates of asbestos. The consequences of this are still felt today as Australia now has one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in the world. Among these diseases caused by exposure to asbestos is the cancer mesothelioma. Regular asbestos compensation claims in Australia highlight just how much asbestos was used in this country in the past. Indeed asbestos compensation litigation in South Australia, asbestos compensation litigation in New South Wales and asbestos compensation litigation in Victoria are all assisted by specific state legislation to help victims pursue asbestos compensation in Australia.
Mr Shorten has confirmed that on average more than 650 Australians a year are diagnosed with mesothelioma and experts are sure that this figure will not decrease before 2022. Despite a nationwide ban on asbestos, the deadly material is still found in many older households and government buildings. Therefore asbestos diseases like mesothelioma still take the lives of many Australians.
The Australian Government will now consider the recommendations from the report put forward by the Asbestos Management Review panel and prepare a response. This report calls on the government to create a plan to effectively remove and mange asbestos in Australia with the goal of there being no asbestos by 2030.
