A plan to make Australia asbestos-free by 2030 must start with government, say unions following the release today of the report of two-year national inquiry into asbestos removal.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said unions welcomed the Government’s release of the Asbestos Management Review’s report and action must now be taken to get rid of the carcinogen.

“We are pleased the panel has agreed with calls made by Australian unions during the review, including a plan to make Australia an asbestos-free nation and put an end to the tragic deaths that continue each year as a result of contact with the carcinogen,” Ms Kearney said.

“The panel, chaired by Geoff Fary, recommended the Government must investigate removing asbestos from Government and commercial buildings in the next 18 years, as well as set up an audit of its existence in residential properties built before production ended in 1987.

“In our submission to the review, we called for asbestos to be eliminated from all buildings by 2030. We believe this should start with Government-owned buildings.

“The review recommendations are a good start but unions will continue to lobby for its complete removal."

• For the Union's full response to the Report, go to ACTU news.
• For a CFMEU report on the review, see Hardhat Express August 2012 p.2