Mesothelioma Asbestos - Asbestos Disease

New South Wales Government Announces the Creation of Asbestos Disease Research Institute

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QUESTION

The Hon. A.L. EVANS

The Hon. A.L. EVANS: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, representing the Minister for Health, a question about funding for asbestos disease research.

The Hon. A.L. EVANS: Last year the New South Wales government announced the creation of an asbestos disease research institute. The New South Wales government has allotted $800 000 over three years to the institute. The numbers of people being diagnosed with asbestos disease is going up every year. Professor Bill Musk from the Depart-ment of Medicine and Public Health, University of Western Australia, has said that the risk is occurring because of the extent to which asbestos was used in industry and around the community up until the mid 1980s. Asbestos disease will generate enormous cost to the community in relation to health and medical treatment. The Asbestos Victims Association has some 400 members, with about 90 per cent of the members actual victims of asbestos.

I was told today that five cases of mesothelioma were reported in Mount Gambier earlier this year. This is an aggressive cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. The South Australian association is holding a public seminar on 29 April with invited experts to provide information to the community. The establishment of an asbestos disease foundation in New South Wales is an important achievement. In fact, the association has already written to the South Australian government, other state governments and the commonwealth government, asking whether they would come together to develop a strategy and planned approach forward for asbestos disease research in Australia. My questions are:

  1. Is the government willing to participate in a national forum to discuss a national approach to asbestos disease research, as already called for by the Asbestos Victims Association SA Incorporated?
  2. How much funding is currently allotted to asbestos disease research in South Australia?

ANSWER

The Hon. T.G. ROBERTS (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): I will refer those important questions to the minister in another place and bring back a reply. I am, and have been made, aware of a number of mesothelioma cases in the South-East. In a lot of cases it takes proof, but many of the cases are allegedly coming from the power stations that were built all around the state in the 1940s and 1950s that had asbestos lined ceilings, many of which deteriorated over time and were not investigated or replaced until many cases started to show through.

There is, in some cases, a 20 to 30 year lead time and, as the honourable member said, we are now looking at a plethora of cases that will start to show through because of the ignorance, in some cases (and arrogance in others), with which asbestos was used, particularly in the power and other industries. I have a personal wait, having worked with both blue and white asbestos in my time at sea and ashore. The time clock is ticking. I hope that I have escaped but if I have it will be more from good luck than better and safe manage-ment of asbestos in the workplace during those years.

In reply to Hon. A.L. EVANS (3 April 2002).

The Hon. T.G. ROBERTS: The Minister for Health has provided the following information:

  1. The Department of Human Services (DHS) would participate in a national forum to discuss a national approach to asbestos disease research if such a forum were organised.
  2. DHS does not allot any funding specifically to asbestos disease research. The majority of government medical research funding in South Australia comes from the National Health and Medical Research Council, rather than from DHS.

Mesothelioma Information

Mesothelioma asbestos is a rare type of cancer affecting the mesothelial tissue lining of three large body cavities. There are three distinct types of malignant mesothelioma: pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. The causes of mesothelioma have been limited to prolonged asbestos exposure and mesothelioma treatment options have shown limited success in containing the fatal disease.

Most mesothelioma research focuses on the development and implementation of new chemotherapy drugs such as Alimta (pemetrexed), Onconase and Veglin.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, contact a mesothelioma attorney or asbestos lawyer to get information about your right to compensation.

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