Additional comments from Coalition Senators

1.1This legislation is a response to Recommendation 6 made by the National Dust Disease Taskforce,[1] established by the former Coalition Government in 2019, which recommended the establishment of a National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry. The aim of the Registry is to provide access to information on occupational respiratory diseases and to support workplaces where there is a risk of exposure to respiratory disease-causing particles and agents. Under the legislation, it is also proposed that the Freedom of Information Act 1982 be amended to exempt protected information included in the Registry from disclosure.

1.2The Coalition holds significant concerns over the growing incidence of silicosis among Australian workers. The Coalition believes that all Australian workers are entitled to work in a safe and healthy workplace.

1.3The Coalition notes that, during its time in Government, it established the National Dust Disease Taskforce to investigate the growing number of silicosis cases in individuals working in the engineered stone industry. The Coalition committed $5.1 million to support the work of the Taskforce, including funding for new research to better understand, prevent and treat occupational lung diseases.

1.4In the 2022–23 March Budget, the former Coalition Government invested $11million over four years to address key recommendations from the Taskforce’s final report and better protect and improve supports for workers in dust generating industries and their families.

1.5The Coalition will support the passage of the Bills, which build on the Coalition’s longstanding commitment to address the increased incidence of occupational respiratory dust diseases in Australia, and the extensive work undertaken while in Government.

1.6That the Bills be passed, noting the Coalition’s longstanding commitment to this issue.

Senator Kerrynne LiddleSenator Maria Kovacic

Footnotes

[1]National Dust Disease Taskforce, Final Report to Minister for Health and Aged Care, June 2021, p. 66.