A Victorian Gippsland’s asbestos support group has expressed their approval for the national plan that will work to protect Australians from asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. They have welcomed this plan in light of the Federal Government announcing their commitment to funding.
$10.5 million from the Australian Government’s budget will be allocated over the coming four years to establish an Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA). Vicki Hamilton, the chief executive of the Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support, although happy that this agency will be established, is of the opinion that much more money is required.
Ms Hamilton has also expressed concerns over how much money the Coalition Government will be willing to allocate to the establishment of the agency if they are elected in September. However Tony Abbott has confirmed the Liberal party will allocate the same amount of money that Labor has committed to.
Bill Shorten, the Workplace Relations Minister, has identified some of the first tasks of the ASEA. These tasks include addressing illegal asbestos dumping, promoting safe asbestos removal and setting up plans for the disposal of asbestos material from businesses and government buildings.
Considering Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in the world, these tasks are extremely important in Australia’s battle against asbestos. Especially Australia’s effort to reduce the number of people suffering from mesothelioma in Australia and asbestosis in Australia.
