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The Hon. P. T. PRIMROSE: I direct a question to the Special Minister of State, and Minister for Industrial Relations. Will the Minister outline to the House details of National Asbestos Awareness Week, which is being held between 19 and 25 November?
The Hon. J. J. DELLA BOSCA: I thank the honourable member for his question and I commend him for his interest in asbestos-related diseases and occupation-related illnesses, and also for his work on this particular project.
The Hon. Elaine Nile: We have got an asbestos problem on the eleventh floor of this building.
The Hon. J. J. DELLA BOSCA: The Hon. Elaine Nile is always full of surprises. That interjection surprises me.
The Hon. M. R. Egan: What did she say?
The Hon. J. J. DELLA BOSCA: I think the Hon. Elaine Nile thinks there is a lot of asbestos in the building. National Asbestos Awareness Week was formally launched on Wednesday 22 November by Premier Bob Carr here at Parliament House. Australia has the highest rate of asbestos-induced diseases in the world, and New South Wales has the highest number of cases in Australia. This has come about because of the widespread use of asbestos in building, manufacturing, construction and refinery processes in this State over many years. Unfortunately, the incidence of asbestos disease is not expected to decline for up to 25 years. This is a tragic situation.
National Asbestos Awareness Week is organised by a body known as the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia. That support group is dedicated specifically to assisting the victims of asbestos, and is the only such support group in New South Wales. Its role in assisting asbestos disease sufferers and their relatives is critical. Through the Dust Diseases Board, the Carr Government has contributed to the cost of presenting National Asbestos Awareness Week. There are many people in need of the Asbestos Foundation's assistance, but the foundation has not been able to reach all of them. Not everyone knows of the foundation's existence. The aim of this week is to raise the profile of the foundation and increase community awareness of the risks of asbestos. An increased awareness may well help reduce the number of victims in the future.
In November 1998 an important package of reforms to the Dust Diseases Act of 1942 was passed by Parliament. Previously, the Act only dealt with how victims of asbestos and other dust diseases were to be compensated. The 1998 changes to the Act enabled the Dust Diseases Board to issue grants for the purpose of providing assistance to organisations that support victims of dust diseases and their families. This recognised a need to go beyond just compensating victims in a strict financial sense. We sought to locate victims of asbestos-related disease and provide practical support and counselling for them and their families. This move enabled the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia to employ a professional counsellor. As a result, the foundation's capacity to make contact with victims and their families was expanded. During National Asbestos Awareness Week the public is encouraged to ask questions about asbestos-related diseases. Officers of the Dust Diseases Board can provide advice on the dust diseases scheme and asbestos-related issues.
The Government has recognised the fundamental importance of supporting research in the area of dust diseases. The Dust Diseases Board has in place a research funding system that meets the standard of best international practice. The board is currently evaluating research proposals from some of Australia's leading researchers and medical specialists. Some honourable members would be aware of a submission that has been put forward suggesting the establishment of an asbestos diseases research institute in New South Wales. The Government will commission a feasibility study into that proposal. Finally, I must note the dedicated work of the people behind the foundation. I would like to pay tribute to Ella Sweeney, Reg Stephenson and all the members of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia for the outstanding work they perform in this area and the keenness and enthusiasm which they display.