The first National Plan on Asbestos Safety and Eradication has been launched after a meeting of State and Territory Ministers.

The Federal Government says it is the first time a plan of its type has been endorsed by state, territory and Commonwealth governments.

“As one of the biggest users of asbestos in the world until the mid-1980s, the legacy of this substance in Australia is tragic, with consequences over the coming decades still to come. We must be coordinated, measured and strategic in the way we contend with asbestos management,” Minister for Employment, Senator Eric Abetz said.

“This plan will result in coordinated effort across the country to reduce the deadly effects of asbestos on Australians, as well as help put Australia at the forefront of global efforts to deal with the deadly substance.”

The National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness brings together jurisdictions across Australia to work as one on practical, long-term solutions to the difficult and deadly problem.

Senator Abetz paid tribute to the union movement for its positive input into this issue over many years.

The strategy will focus on preventing exposure to airborne asbestos fibres in particular.

The plan contains six main strategies:

  • increasing the public’s awareness of the health risks of asbestos
  • supporting and promote research
  • improving information about the identification and location of asbestos
  • developing best practice in all aspects of asbestos management
  • identify priority areas to improve the safe removal of asbestos, and
  • working to stop asbestos imports to Australia and campaign to achieve a worldwide ban on asbestos mining and manufacturing. 

More details are available here.