Dean Morris,from Hastings in Victoria,was diagnosed with silicosis in 2019 after working with engineered stone for several years as a stonemason. He urged the leaders to think of him and his friends,all wracked by the same irreversible lung disease,saying “they’re killing tradies;we need to get rid of it”.
“As long as reconstituted stone continues to be in the trade,people lose lives,” he said. “This is something that should have happened 12 or 18 months ago.”
Morris,who used to compete in Ninja Warrior events,said his shortness of breath meant he now struggled to even kick a football with his daughters. “I was very fit,I was playing sports,indoor cricket,volleyball … now I can’t do any of that,” he said.
NSW,Victorian,Queensland and South Australian ministers have said they back a total ban,and NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis said her state was willing to lead the way in designing a nationwide prohibition. “The status quo cannot continue,” she said.
Victoria’s WorkSafe Minister Danny Pearson said:“We look forward to working with the Commonwealth,states and territories to co-ordinate a national ban – this is the most effective way forward.”
A joint statement from the Australian Council of Trade Unions and several health groups,including the Lung Foundation and Cancer Council,called for immediate prohibition,while Construction,Forestry,Maritime,Mining,and Energy union national secretary Zach Smith warned further delays were contributing to deaths.