The National Asbestos Summit jointly held by the ACTU, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and the Cancer Council, previously reported in the July edition of Western Teacher, called on the Government to set up a National Asbestos Authority, has resulted in the Federal Government establishing a national asbestos management review.  ACTU Assistant Secretary Geoff Fary has been appointed as the Chair of the Review.  Mr Fary has since resigned from his position at the ACTU to give his full attention to the Review which is required to be completed by June 2012.

The Review will assess current activities in the area of asbestos management and research and will make recommendations to the Federal Government for the development of a national strategic plan to improve asbestos awareness, management and removal.

Geoff as the Chair of the Review will be assisted by an expert advisory group which includes Paul Bastian form AMWU, employer representatives, lawyers experienced in dealing with asbestos disease and mesothelioma claims, WA academic Rob Gurthrie and an Asbestos Diseases Society representative.

Specifically the Review will focus on:

• the enhancement of education and public awareness;
• the efficiency of asbestos import and export controls;
• asbestos removal, handling, storage and disposal;
• mandatory reporting and disclosure where asbestos is detected; and
• mandatory collection of data and reporting on associated health issues.

The SSTUWA is proud to have played a small part in the National Asbestos Summit and hopes that this Review will further progress our aim to have WA public schools free from asbestos containing materials.