The Australian Workers' Union is urging federal, state, and territory ministers not to squander their historic chance to protect workers from deadly silica dust exposure when they meet in Canberra today.
Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke will be discussing tougher action on silica exposures with his state and territory counterparts after a long period of union campaigning.
AWU National Secretary Daniel Walton said the meeting would be a failure if tough action was not immediately announced.
"We've had enough talk about this, it's time for action. It's time to stop people dying," Mr Walton said.
"We know there are a range of measures that could be implemented to save lives. We now have the key decision makers in a room together. Time to pull the trigger.
"No more consultation, no more stakeholder engagement, no more delays. Action, today.
"We need tunnelling companies to undertake regular, mandatory air monitoring and report the results immediately and transparently. We need unions to be able to take monitoring devices on site. We need tougher penalties on companies that do not take adequate measures to protect workers from silica dust exposure whether that's about poor ventilation, inadequate PPE, or anything else.
"If this meeting does not resolve with tough action today, then Australians will die from silicosis who did not have to. It's that simple.
"I commend Tony Burke for putting silica on the agenda at today's meeting and I urge all his state and territory counterparts to read the room and agree to urgent action."
