The Union representing NBN technicians is calling for the Federal Government to reject the Commission of Audit’s recommendation to axe the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.
CEPU NSW Assistant Secretary Shane Murphy said asbestos had a long and damaging history in Australia, and the recent rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) had once again seen asbestos exposure affect workers and residents in many states.
The abolition of the only Federal Government body addressing asbestos safety will risk deadly exposure for workers and the community, he said.
“The CEPU NSW is joining asbestos support groups, lawyers, concerned community members and other unions in urging/demanding the Federal Government to guarantee long-term funding for the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency,” Mr Murphy said.
“It is vital for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to maintain safeguards for workers and the community.
“Only last year, all work was temporarily stopped in pits and pipelines for the NBN when contractors disturbed asbestos while laying cable in western Sydney.
“This illustrates the ticking time bomb of asbestos out in the community, the continued danger it poses and the very real need for the safety agency.
“The independent safety agency is responsible for implementing a national action plan on asbestos safety and eradication, and was tasked with creating and maintaining Australia’s first National Asbestos Exposure Register.
“The future of these two important safeguards is under threat if the agency is abolished.
“Asbestos is a killer and national, preventative action is vital. You gamble with the health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of Australians if you cut safety budgets and play politics with asbestos,” Mr Murphy said.
For further information or media interviews please call:
Shane Murphy 0407 656 263 or Jane Garcia 0434 489 533
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