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Presenting the Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia Newsletter 1 July 2009
“ The Victim is our Priority ”
The Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia (ADSSA) has a commitment to providing counselling, support and information to those who suffer asbestos related conditions, and the families of those victims.
James Hardie’s Irish move. James Hardie are contemplating a move to Ireland.
James Hardie Industries NV is presently a Netherlands based company but it intends to move to Ireland in an attempt to obtain tax benefits.
ADSSA cautiously supports any move that will assist the profitability of James Hardie simply because we need James Hardie to make a profit in order for them to continue to make contributions to their Asbestos Injuries Fund. As a result of the global financial crisis, the profits of James Hardie are well down and because of this, last month James Hardie said they would not make a contribution to the fund in the coming financial year.
In terms of the move to Ireland, ADSSA understands such a move will be costly and will impact on the contribution James Hardie will have to make to the fund in 2010. Indeed we understand the budget for the move will be somewhere in the vicinity of ninety million dollars. One wonders whether such money would be better spend on victims.
Stateline report
Some of you may have seen the report on Stateline on Friday 19 June 2009 about the illegal dumping of asbestos. Andrew Watts, builder, removed asbestos from a job in Robe, South Australia wearing masks and appropriate clothing. He then properly wrapped the asbestos in 200 micron thick plastic and took the asbestos to the Kingston rubbish dump, only to find he was unable to dump the asbestos there. He then took the asbestos to Keith, Tailem Bend, Cambrai, Clare and Angaston, only to find he had the same problem. So Andrew then travelled many miles and ended up back in his home town of Loxton before he was able to dump the asbestos at his local rubbish dump. To see more about the story: http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/sacontent/2006/s2604477.htm
We feel it is up to each council to make sure they have proper asbestos dumping facilities and bins that comply with SafeWork SA and Occupational Health & Work Safety practices.
The Asbestos Coalition extends an open invitation to Councils and Local Government to come along to the next Asbestos Coalition Meeting on Friday 24 July 2009 at 10.30am at SA Unions, 46 Greenhill Road Wayville to try to resolve these issues.
Spreading the word about the dangers of asbestos
John Carter continues to promote asbestos awareness, education and training. He has undertaken presentations to Southern Mallee Council, Master Builders Association Sub Committee, Build Environs, SA Unions OHS & W Conference Workshop, SAMFS Union Workshop for State Executive, SAMFS Union Workshop for State OHS & W people, Asbestos week, Zero Occupational Cancer, TAFE Awareness to staff and students, TAFE Currie Street Awareness to students, Norman Waterhouse and Port Pirie Regional Hospital Staff and contractors. Asbestos Awareness Education has also been undertaken in the Murray and Kingston on Murray areas.
For more information, have a look at www.asbestosandyou.com.au and www.asbestosinfo.com.au
Condolences
ADSSA was very sorry to hear of the passing of Shirley White, AM the founder of the Queensland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Society .
Next Meeting
July Meeting: Thursday 16th July 2009. 11.00am Lunch at 12.00pm. Christmas in July at the Marion Sports & Community Club, Sturt Road, Marion. Phone Kay to book your seat 08 8359 2423 or Mobile: 0407 799 908 RSVP by Tuesday 7th July 2009.
August Meeting: Thursday 20th August 2009. Coffee and a chat at the ADSSA Office
Kay Tidswell – CEO – ADSSA 0407 799 908
Penny Jacomos – Social Worker – ADSSA 08 8359 2423
John Carter President 0417 814 330
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