In 2010 the state government of Western Australia conducted an audit which revealed that 45 percent of homes were contaminated with asbestos. To date, although the proportion has decreased to about 40 percent, there are still 740 State houses that need urgent attention. These houses were deemed “high priority” in the 2010 audit.
The Asbestos Diseases Society president has expressed his frustration regarding this situation, and has claimed that the number of houses that still contain asbestos is “unacceptable”. Shadow housing minister Fran Logan concurs and further adds that all houses on the high priority list should be asbestos free by now.
The Asbestos Disease Society is extremely concerned about the children’s safety. Once inhaled, asbestos can lead to deadly diseases such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Some have argued that the West Australian Government is attempting to downplay the risk that asbestos poses. Steve Parry, the Department of Housing service delivery general manager, has stated that as long as the asbestos remains undisturbed, there is no real threat to the public. Although Parry acknowledges that the asbestos needs to be removed, he stands firm in his belief that it does not constitute an emergency.
In West Australia, many cases of asbestos related diseases have occurred in the past. Asbestos related compensation in Western Australia has seen an increase in the number of claims being brought by Australians suffering asbestos conditions such as mesothelioma.
