LAW FIRM taking a lad in combatting dust diseases, Maurice Blackburn, is supporting calls by the Australian Workers Union (AWU) for tougher national regulations to protect all workers from deadly silica dust.

The AWU has launched a new campaign demanding the Federal Government impose minimum safety benchmarks and tougher penalties across all industries where workers are exposed to silica, rather than only focusing on stonemasons.

Maurice Blackburn principal, Jonathan Walsh said the government’s lack of urgency in addressing the issue was threatening the lives and livelihoods of many thousands of workers.

“I’ve said previously the reforms recommended by the government’s National Dust Diseases Taskforce’s interim report are pathetic and weak,” Mr Walsh said.

“Workers are dying but the Federal Government is effectively sitting on its hands instead of moving quickly to ensure the health and safety of workers.

“It is not enough for the government to focus only on engineered stone when we know that other workers, such as miners and tunnellers can be similarly exposed to highly dangerous levels of silica dust and develop chronic or fatal lung conditions,” Mr Walsh said.

“All Australian workers should have what is known to be best practice when it comes to safety in their workplace – their lives and their families’ well-being shouldn’t be up for negotiation.

“Surely, Australia can do better than that.

“Our client, Joanna McNeill is leading the union’s campaign for urgent action and is sadly suffering the consequences of lax industry safety practices when it comes to silica dust,” Mr Walsh said.

“Only 34 years old and the mother of two very young children, Joanna was diagnosed last year with silicosis after working in the mining industry.

“She wants to see tougher laws so that no other worker and their family is left in the same position simply because they did their job.”

https://www.awu.net.au/national/campaigns/13261/silicosis-kills/

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold a public hearing with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Philip Lowe, on Friday, February 5, 2021. The RBA last appeared before the committee in December 2020.

Committee chair, Tim Wilson MP, said, "There have been few times when monetary policy has been more consequential for the Australian economy.

"The committee will be scrutinising the RBA’s measures in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, particularly the move to implement quantitative easing, and how these measures will help the Australian economy recover.

"The decisions the RBA are making has an impact on everyone, and with cheap easy money pushing up asset prices, and the spectre of inflation and higher super that could soften wage increases on the horizon, there needs to be scrutiny of the consequences of their decisions.

"Issues of the governance culture within the RBA remain a point of public discussion and also need to be properly scrutinised," Mr Wilson said.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 5 February 2021
Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Main Committee Room, Parliament House

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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FOLK, THEATRE, videogames and galleries are among a host of Australian arts bodies who will give evidence as part of an ongoing inquiry into the state of the Australian arts sector.

Chair of the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts, David Gillespie MP, said the hearings on February 5 and 19, 2021, will further investigate the challenges faced by specific arts industries over the past year.

"Australia boasts a rich cultural and creative landscape and I’m eager to hear about the key areas for growth and development for our creative industries, as well as the challenges that have recently tested their resilience," Dr Gillespie said.

"The committee will also take evidence from government departments on their support for Australia’s arts workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With an estimated contribution of 6.4 percent of Australia’s GDP, the committee recognises the fundamental role our creative and cultural industries play in Australia’s economy. We are keen to understand how Australia can best harness its creative and cultural capabilities in order to rebuild this vital part of our economy to be better than ever," Dr Gillespie said.

The full programs for February 5 and 19 and the Inquiry’s terms of reference, may be found on the Inquiry webpage. The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. 

Information about the committee, including membership, may be found on the committee’s webpage.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has extended the time for making submissions to its two current inquires to 31 March 2021.

The inquiry into economic, social and environmental sustainability in the Indian Ocean Territories is examining topics including education, research, citizen science, biodiversity, job creation, costs of living and socially responsible development.

The inquiry into enabling communications infrastructure in Australia’s external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is considering the current communications situation in each of the territories, activity underway to enhance connectivity and services, and the options and opportunities for improving availability of and access to communications infrastructure.

Committee chair, Anne Webster MP, said, “The committee wants to ensure all interested people and organisations, including residents, businesses and community groups have an opportunity to put forward their views.”

The Committee is accepting submissions addressing the terms of reference until 31 March 2021. The terms of reference for each inquiry and further information on how to prepare and lodge a submission can be found on the inquiry websites.

Public hearings are being planned and will be announced in due course.

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