Table 1: 2016–17 at a glance 21 June 2017 Parliamentary Group on Asbestos-Related Disease luncheon at Parliament House, Canberra 21 June 2017 Second meeting of the new Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council held in Parliament House, Canberra 20 June 2017 Ninth meeting of the Building, Construction and Demolition Sectors Committee held in Sydney 6 June 2017 Second meeting of the Asbestos Communications Working Group held by teleconference 30 May 2017 Education and Employment Legislation Committee – Senate Estimates hearing in Parliament House, Canberra 02 May 2017 Celebration of the life of Louise (Lou) Williams (long-term mesothelioma patient, passed away 18 April 2017) held in Victoria 11 April 2017 Inaugural meeting of the Asbestos Communications Working Group held via teleconference 29 March 2017 Sixth meeting of the Technical Research Advisory Committee held in Sydney (formally known as Research Advisory Committee) 6 March 2017 Fourth meeting of the Asbestos Policy and Regulation Interdepartmental Committee held by teleconference 23 February 2017 meeting of the second Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council held in Sydney – 21st meeting of the Council in total 21 February 2017 Eighth meeting of the Building, Construction and Demolition Sectors Committee held in Sydney 15 December 2016 Third meeting of the Asbestos Policy and Regulation Interdepartmental Committee held by teleconference 14 December 2016 New Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council appointed by the Minister for Employment 21–25 November 2016 National Asbestos Awareness Week activities for asbestos-related disease support groups 15 November 2016 meeting of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council (post-International conference) held in Adelaide 13–15 November 2016 Third International Conference on Asbestos Awareness and Management held in Adelaide 1–5 November 2016 South East Asian Ban Asbestos Network Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia (Agency Chief Executive Officer delivered presentation) 25 October 2016 Twentieth meeting of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council held in Sydney 24 October 2016 Second meeting of the Asbestos Policy and Regulation Interdepartmental Committee held by teleconference 11 October 2016 Seventh meeting of the Building, Construction and Demolition Sectors Committee held in Sydney 09 August 2016 Fifth meeting of the Research Advisory Committee
Observer Dr Robert Walters is a general medical practitioner, part-time member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Colonel in the Australian Army Medical Corps. Dr Walters has been a general practice consultant to the Surgeon General, Australian Defence Force (ADF) since 1995 and has held positions in the ADF as a senior medical officer, Director of Medical Services (Tasmania Region) and military compensation adviser for Tasmania. His board memberships include Chair, Ministerial Asbestos Steering Committee; medical member of WorkSafe Tasmania Board, Headspace; and Chair of the General Practice Consultative Group, ADF. Dr Walters was also a state and territory representative on the first Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council, 2013 to 2016. Appointment of second Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council – 14 December 2016 The ASEA Act authorises the Minister for Employment to appoint members to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council for a period of no more than three years. On 14 December 2016, the Minister for Employment announced the appointment of the second Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council. Table 2: Council meetings and attendance – 01 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 26/07/16 28/09/16 25/10/16 15/11/16n Appointment of new Council 14 December 2016 23/02/2017 21/06/2017 Fary P P P P Ian Gardner P P P A Peter Dunphy A P P A Lex McCulloch P P P A Barry Robson P P P P Tanya Segelov P A P P Rob Walters P P P A O Michael Borowick P P A A A P Tracey Browne P P P P P P Carolyn O O O O P P Diane P P Michelle Baxter P P Jim Dodds P A Andrew Kefford O O O P P Julie Nielsen P P Marnie Williams P P Nancy Milne A P P – Present A – Apologies T – Telephone O – Observer n – post 2016 conference council meeting From left to right: Peter Tighe (CEO), Michelle Baxter, Marnie Williams, Tracey Browne, Julie Nielsen, Diane Smith-Gander (Chair), Andrew Kefford, Carolyn Davis, Jim Dodds. Absent: Michael Borowick, Nancy Milne
reports of incidents in schools or hospitals numbers of employer or union initiated registrations. The NAER into the future Media focus on asbestos issues appears to impact reporting patterns on the NAER. Issues during the 2016–17 financial year have included loose-fill asbestos in residences in both the ACT and NSW as well as reports which appear in the media from time to time about the existence of asbestos-containing materials in schools and hospitals. This indicates a growing concern amongst community members about the risks they may be incurring in settings other than their workplaces. This is likely to become more apparent with the increasing in DIY activities and major home renovations. The agency has received a number of enquiries from concerned members of the public about neighbourhood renovation activities. This also reflects growing awareness amongst members of the public that there are risks in the residential setting of asbestos fibres becoming airborne and posing a risk to the community. With average monthly registrations of 148 per in the 2016–2017 financial year, some trends are now beginning to emerge. Despite variations from month to month and year to year, it is clear that the majority of male registrations are work related, while the majority of female registrations are not directly related to their work. There seems to be a growing concern among employers to inform employees of the existence of the NAER and to encourage them to register if they believe they have been exposed. It is hoped that the NAER will continue to be an avenue by which community members can express their concerns about asbestos exposure and to inform the agency of how and where they believe their exposure occurred. Analysis of the data collected in the NAER will continue to build on the statistical base which is being developed and support the agency to develop an evidence base which is vital for the implementation of the National Strategic Plan. The NAER is an important component of the work of the agency and continues to complement the other sources of information collected by the agency through other research which will help to address the issue of asbestos and its risks to the Australian community into the future. Section 4: Additional work or ministerial directions The agency was not required to do additional work and did not receive any ministerial directions during the 2016–17 year.
Appendices Agency engagements and consultations Date of event Location Organisation Type July 2016 07 Jul 16 Sydney Health Canada – Asbestos ban in Canada Teleconference 08 Jul 16 Tweed Heads Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Association of Australia Meeting 15 Jul 16 Sydney Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Imported Materials containing Asbestos Working Group Teleconference 18 Jul 16 Sydney Building, Construction and Demolition Sectors Committee Meeting 19 Jul 16 Sydney Department of Employment Meeting 20 Jul 16 Sydney EY Sweeney – briefing on results of 2016 National Survey Meeting 26 Jul 16 Sydney Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council Meeting August 2016 05 Aug 16 Sydney Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Imported Materials containing Asbestos Working Group Teleconference 09 Aug 16 Sydney Research Advisory Committee Meeting 16 Aug 16 Sydney Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, projects update Meeting 18 Aug 16 Sydney Steering Committee – Project to strengthen asbestos-related training materials in the utilities sector Meeting/ Teleconference 19 Aug 16 Sydney WorkSafe New Zealand Teleconference 23 Aug 16 Canberra Department of Immigration and Border Protection Meeting 26 Aug 16 Adelaide South Australian Asbestos Coalition Meeting 26 Aug 16 Adelaide SafeWork South Australia Meeting 29 Aug 16 Sydney Steering Committee – Project to strengthen asbestos-related training materials in the utilities sector Meeting/ Teleconference September 2016
07 Sep 16 Sydney Safety in Action Conference – Asbestos Safety in an Disaster Presentation 14 Sep 16 Sydney Brian Miller Construction Safety Forum Presentation 18–20 Sep 16 Springs Public Health Association of Australia – Annual Conference and Chronic Disease Conference Conference 22 Sep 16 Sydney NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption – Illegal asbestos dumping Meeting 27 Sep 16 Sydney Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology Meeting 30 Sep 16 Sydney Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) Imported Materials containing Asbestos Working Group Teleconference October 2016 6–8 Oct 16 Melbourne Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia Conference 6–8 Oct 16 Adelaide Housing Industry Association Home Show Exhibition 11 Oct 16 Sydney Building, Construction and Demolition Sectors Committee Meeting 19 Oct 16 Canberra Education and Employment Legislation Committee - Senate Estimates Hearing 21 Oct 16 Sydney South East Asian Ban Asbestos Network – pre-conference briefing and Rotterdam Convention Teleconference 24 Oct 16 Sydney Asbestos Policy and Regulation Interdepartmental Committee Teleconference 25 Oct 16 Sydney Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council Meeting 27 Oct 16 Adelaide Safe Work Month (Illegal importation of asbestos – what can be done?) Address November 2016 1–5 Nov 16 Jakarta, Indonesia East Asian Ban Asbestos Network – presentation and attendance Meeting 08 Nov 16 Gold Coast E-Oz and Skills Oz conference Presentation 09 Nov 16 Sydney NSW Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities review Teleconference 09 Nov 16 Sydney SafeWork NSW Meeting 10 Nov 16 Sydney National Electrical and Communications Association – Workplace Health and Safety Seminar Presentation 13/15 Nov 16 Adelaide 3rd International Conference on Asbestos Awareness and Management Conference 17 Nov 16 Sydney Delegation from Royal Government of Cambodia Meeting
18 Nov 16 Sydney of Workplace Safety Authorities Imported Materials containing Asbestos Working Group Teleconference 21 Nov 16 Sydney NSW Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities state-wide consultation Teleconference 21 Nov 16 Sydney Bernie Banton Day – Asbestos Awareness Week memorial Function 25 Nov 16 Sydney Asbestos Disease Foundation of Australia – Asbestos Awareness Week memorial Function 31 Nov 16 Sydney WorkSafe Tasmania – awareness of asbestos in residential sector Meeting December 2016 01 Dec 16 Canberra Parliamentary Group on Disease Presentation 5–6 Dec 16 Gold Coast Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists conference Conference 09 Dec 16 Sydney WorkSafe New Zealand Teleconference 13 Dec 16 Sydney Interdepartmental Meeting – Rotterdam Convention (lead by Department of Environment) Teleconference 15 Dec 16 Sydney Asbestos Policy and Regulation Interdepartmental Committee Teleconference 16 Dec 16 Sydney Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme – Asbestos in the South Pacific Meeting 20 Dec 16 Sydney Victorian School Building Authority – School asbestos removal program Teleconference January 2017 06 Jan 17 Sydney Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Imported Products Containing Asbestos Working Group Teleconference 18 Jan 17 Sydney NSW Government regarding international leadership (Indonesia) Meeting 19 Jan 17 Sydney National Asbestos Awareness Campaign – planning Meeting 25 Jan 17 Adelaide South Australian Asbestos Coalition Meeting 30 Jan 17 Sydney Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Imported Products Containing Asbestos Working Group Teleconference February 2017 02 Feb 17 Sydney Global Asbestos Action Alliance – Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties planning 02 Feb 17 Sydney Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities Imported Products Containing Asbestos Working Group Teleconference 07 Feb 17 Canberra Senator Lisa Singh - Parliamentary Group on Asbestos-Related Disease Meeting Related
13 Feb 17 Sydney South East Asian Ban Asbestos Network – planning for Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties Teleconference 15 Feb 17 Sydney Asbestos Support Group Network – National Asbestos Awareness Week planning Teleconference 21 Feb 17 Sydney Building, Construction and Demolition Sectors Committee Meeting 23 Feb 17 Sydney Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council Meeting 24 Feb 17 Adelaide South Australian Asbestos Coalition meeting March 2017 02 Mar 17 Canberra Education and Employment Legislation Committee – Senate Estimates Hearing 06 Mar 17 Sydney Professor Ken Takahashi – Director, Asbestos Disease Research Institute Meeting 06 Mar 17 Sydney Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA Meeting 09 Mar 17 Sydney Asbestos Policy and Regulation Interdepartmental Committee Teleconference 14 Mar 17 Sydney Construction and Engineering breakfast – Asbestos (and other in new building products Seminar 14 Mar 17 Sydney Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties stakeholders meeting 14 Mar 17 Sydney Asbestos Support Network Teleconference 17 Mar 17 Sydney Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties stakeholders meeting 21 Mar 17 Sydney Asbestos Disease Research Institute – Events and Patient Education Day Meeting 28 Mar 17 Sydney Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties stakeholders meeting 29 Mar 17 Sydney Technical Research Advisory Committee Meeting April 2017 4–5 Apr 17 Melbourne 15th World Congress on Public Health Presentation 19 Apr 17 Sydney Lesley Onyon, World Health Organisation Meeting 20 Apr 17 Sydney Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties stakeholders meeting 26 Apr 17 Sydney Occupational Hygienists – research project proposal Meeting May 2017 02 May 17 Woodend, Victoria Celebration of Life for Louise (Lou) Williams Ceremony 09 May 17 Sydney Centre for International Economics 10 May 17 Sydney Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties stakeholders meeting
16 May 17 Sydney Asbestos Audits, Removals and Management Services Meeting 17 May 17 Melbourne Australasian Land and Groundwater Association Conference 24 May 17 Sydney Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties stakeholders meeting 30 May 17 Canberra Education and Employment Legislation Committee – Senate Estimates Hearing 31 May 17 Canberra Department of Employment Portfolio Agency Heads Meeting June 2017 07 June 17 Sydney Asbestos Support Network teleconference 09 June 17 Sydney Australian Capital Territory Asbestos Taskforce teleconference 14 June 17 Canberra Raising Awareness about the risk of imported products containing asbestos Seminar 20 June 17 Sydney Building, Construction and Demolition Sectors Committee Meeting 21 June 17 Canberra Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council meeting 21 June 17 Canberra Parliamentary Group on Asbestos Disease Luncheon 22 June 17 Canberra Department of the Environment – Rotterdam Convention, 2017 Convention of the Parties Meeting 28 June 17 Sydney Asbestos Policy and Regulation Interdepartmental Committee Teleconference
National Asbestos Exposure Register Statistics for 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 Table A1: Monthly responses by jurisdiction of current residence Jurisdiction Month ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA 2016 26 291 24 146 62 57 74 276 956 July 4 108 7 21 6 6 16 103 271 August 10 70 5 30 11 26 10 31 193 September 2 26 2 19 15 9 11 17 101 October 24 5 24 7 3 16 24 103 November 7 50 1 24 11 4 14 35 146 December 3 13 4 28 12 9 7 66 142 2017 60 187 37 133 60 35 87 215 814 January 2 35 1 27 10 2 16 121 214 February 16 25 7 37 5 3 12 32 137 4 47 11 25 15 2 16 9 129 April 6 14 5 19 7 2 13 18 84 May 18 38 9 18 5 12 18 13 131 June 14 28 4 7 18 14 12 22 119 TOTAL 86 478 61 279 122 92 161 491 1770 4.86% 27.01% 3.45% 15.76% 6.89% 5.20% 9.10% 27.74% Population (2016 Census) 406,400 7,797,800 245,000 4,833,700 1,717,000 519,100 6,244,200 2,567,800 Proportion of population 1.67% 32.05% 1.01% 19.87% 7.06% 2.13% 25.66% 10.55%