ASEA International Asbestos Conference 2016
ACV/GARDS crew attended the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency International Asbestos Conference in Adelaide from the 12th – 15th November. We caught up with many old friends and some new ones. It was great to spend time with Terry Miller and Kat Wake-Burge & the rest of the team from AVA. We also had a chance to chat with our old friend Matt Peacock seasoned ABC Journalist and spend some time with Tanya Segelov along with many others such as Linda Reinstein CEO Asbestos Disease Awareness Org United States. We also had the fortunate opportunity to meet a very lovely lady named Kathleen Ruff Founder & Head of RightOnCanda.ca. Dr Tom John Medical Oncologist & John Cannings from Rare Cancers Australia gave some very interesting news in the research and drug area – it was good to catch up with Dr Tom again. It was a pleasure to chat and catch up with Serafina Salucci a very strong advocate for asbestos sufferers – keep up the good work Serafina. Two of our members who live in Adelaide met with us for dinner while we were there – Jane West and Terry Wilkins.
We thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone. It was a very exhaustive visit to Adelaide learning so much more about asbestos issues from all over Australia and Internationally – but a really rewarding one – We will be looking forward to the next catch up with everyone.
The fight to Ban Asbestos around the world is only just beginning to ramp up – the International slogan is:
“Asbestos – Not Here – Not Anywhere”
If you would like to know more about the ASEA Adelaide 2016 Conference access this link
Asbestos Dumping – Harsher Penalties Needed
Penalties need to be tougher on people dumping asbestos – this fine was too light for an asbestos removal company – companies like this one are a disgrace to their profession. Shame on the company – 20 tonnes of asbestos – what were you thinking!
Asbestos Awareness session Chisholm TAFE Berwick
Today we traveled to Chisholm TAFE at Berwick to conduct an asbestos awareness session with 40+ apprentice Plumbers & Electricians – it was a great session and the apprentices asked terrific questions. Well done to you all – it was such a pleasure to chat with you about everything asbestos! Thanks to Chisholm TAFE and students for making myself and the team welcome. It was also great to have Liam O’Dwyer along – always good to see him : ) – A big thank you to the Plumbing Dept at Chisholm – and lecturer Trevor Watson, for all your help and support, it is always good to catch up. We always look forward to meeting new apprentices – the enthusiasm in the group was just terrific today. We hope they will all go away with a greater understanding of the dangers of asbestos and where it lurks in their work places and in their homes, that way they can keep themselves safe and others.
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Successful Funding
Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS received the news on the 4th May that the Agency had been allocated funding in the budget. What great news that was – now the Agency will be able to continue its good work and carry out its National Strategic Plan and awareness programs. Thank you to you all – the Unions, Supports Groups, Politicians of all colours and anyone who had a hand in helping to lobby the “powers to be” in Federal Government before the budget to make this positive outcome happen – it would not have happened without all of us pushing. The bipartisan support the Agency has now been shown by reinstating its funding and a bit more will help to save lives into the future, which can only be a positive for all of us and future generations. A great outcome.
This is the extract from the budget papers.
The Government will provide an additional $3.4 million over two years from 2016‑17 to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency to coordinate the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness 2014‑2018 (the Plan). The Plan establishes a framework for a national approach to asbestos management and awareness in Australia