Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency CEO appointed

Minister for Workplace Relations Bill Shorten has announced the appointment of a CEO to head up the new Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) and the appointment of the 10 members of the ASEA Council.

Peter Tighe has been appointed as CEO of the agency for a period of five years.

“The Rudd government is committed to a national plan of action to eliminate asbestos exposure,” Minister Shorten said.

“The ASEA began operations on 1 July 2013 and marks a crucial step in Australia becoming the first nation to progress towards the ultimate elimination of asbestos-related diseases.”

“As CEO, Mr Tighe will work with governments and stakeholders to implement the national plan for asbestos eradication, handling and awareness.

“Asbestos is a cruel, indiscriminate killer that remains a persistent threat to Australians. The identification and safe removal of asbestos is an absolute priority for the Rudd government.”

Tighe was recently National Secretary of the Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union, a position he held from 1995. He was also National Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union and Executive Member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 1991 to 2013. He is Chair of E-Oz Energy Skills Australia, E-Profiling Pty Ltd and the National Electrical and Electronic Industry Training Council and a trustee/board member of CBUS Superannuation. Tighe has extensive experience in workplace health and safety issues and in tackling the hazards of asbestos-containing materials.

Tighe will report to the Minister and consult with the ASEA Council, consisting of Commonwealth, state, territory and local government representatives and other expert members.

This position is a statutory appointment and was made following a merit-based selection process.

Geoff Fary has been appointed as Chair of the ASEA Council. Fary was Chair of the Australian Asbestos Management Review conducted between 2010 and 2012.

The other members of the Council are Dr Ian Gardner representing the Commonwealth and Peter Dunphy, Mark McCabe, Lex McCulloch and Dr Robert Walters as the members representing state, territory and local government; Michael Borowick as the member representing the interests of workers; Tracey Browne as the member representing the interests of employers; and Barry Robson and Tanya Segelov.

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