Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related disease in the world. Due to the long period between exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease, asbestos related diseases are projected to increase.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that asbestos management arrangements in Australia minimise the risk of avoidable exposure. Achieving this outcome requires a comprehensive understanding of the scope of the problem and the adoption of clear strategies for how to best address issues relating to awareness, management and removal of asbestos.

In support of this commitment, on 29 October 2010 the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans, announced the establishment of the Asbestos Management Review (the Review).

The terms of reference for the Review are broad in scope and encompass asbestos management issues beyond work health and safety, including environmental and public health issues. The Review has been designed to complement existing work already underway at both the Commonwealth and state/territory levels. It will also complement the development of harmonised work health and safety laws which include regulations and codes of practice relating to asbestos management and removal.

The Chairman of the Review is Mr Geoff Fary, who is being assisted in this role by an expert advisory group. The Review will provide recommendations for the development of a National Strategic Plan to improve asbestos awareness and management to the Government, with a final report to be provided by 30 June 2012.

Public Consultation Period

The Asbestos Management Review’s public consultation period closed on 9 September 2011. Submissions can be viewed on the Public Submission page of the website.