The Labor Senator for Tasmania, Senator the Hon Lisa Singh recently returned from the ANDEVA (National Association for Defending Victims of Asbestos) conference where the Senator shared the story of Australia’s asbestos legacy and attended the rally for the 'International Day for Victims of Asbestos' held on October 12 and 13.
Senator Singh told the CFMEU: “It was an honour to be invited to address the conference in my capacity as an Australian Senator and co-convenor of the Parliamentary Group on Asbestos Related Disease (PGARD).
“The conference and rally was attended by workers, unions, victims, politicians, medical professionals and anti-asbestos advocates from 20+ countries from six continents.”
Senator Singh found that Australia is leading the way in addressing the issues surrounding asbestos, especially in light of the Gillard Government’s commissioning and response to the Asbestos Management Review.
“However, we have comrades in many countries who are yet to fully tackle this insidious substance and continue to need our support,” the Senator said.
During the ANDEVA Conference, a roundtable session was held, during which the working group authored and agreed upon two documents.
An appeal to the Brazilian Supreme Court: The Court was called on to expedite the judgement regarding the unconstitutionality of the federal law permitting the mining, sale, use and transport and export of asbestos. Brazil Declaration
A letter to Premier Pauline Marois: Qubec Premier, who was in Paris at the time of there conference for meetings and was congratulated by conference delegates for the courageous position taken by her government in withdrawing the financial assistance promised to the Jeffrey (Asbestos) Mine.
The rally, promoting the theme 'For a world without asbestos' attracted more than 5000 people, despite rainy conditions.
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| For a world without asbestos - Pour un monde sans amiante |
Read more of the Asbestos Management Review's report and Gillard Government Response from Asbestos Summit 2012.
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