SA Government reaffirms commitment to combat asbestos

Minister for Industrial Relations Paul Holloway used the 10th annual Asbestos Memorial Day to reaffirm the South Australian Government’s commitment to combating the ongoing harm created by asbestos.

“Today, we remember those tragically afflicted by this lethal dust - and take stock of our efforts so far and those to come in dealing with the dangers that asbestos poses,” the Minister said. “This government enacted the Dust Diseases Act in 2005 to make it easier for asbestos victims to seek redress for their injuries, both by streamlining legal procedures and by reducing the burden required for victims to prove how their disease was caused.”

Holloway told a memorial service that, from 31 January 2011, proceedings in the Dust Diseases List of the District Court would be heard by Judges in the Industrial Relations Court, adding: “This arrangement will help to meet the needs for dust diseases actions to be dealt with expeditiously, especially where an urgent hearing is required. These changes will ensure significantly less time is spent waiting on judicial determinations for victims of asbestos-related diseases and their families.”

Holloway added that 26 November 2010 also marked the 10th anniversary of the Asbestos Victims Association, a key lobby and support group which campaigns in favour of legislative reform to provide a better deal for victims and their families, commenting: “Through the efforts of groups such as the Asbestos Victims Association, we can arm ourselves with the knowledge and the strategies that will help minimise the potential harm to future generations of South Australians.”

Holloway also released the second annual progress report of the Asbestos Safety Action Plan, stating: “This plan is now two years old and aims to reduce illness and disease caused by exposure to asbestos by providing a single, coordinated framework to safely identify, manage and remove asbestos.”