Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency

10/07/2025

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s NAIDOC awards, which celebrate the outstanding contributions of First Nations people who lead, inspire, and uplift their communities across the country. The winners embody this year’s theme – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'.

Kicking NAIDOC celebrations off from Whadjuk Noongar Country in Boorloo (Perth), we recognise those in the community who embody the NAIDOC spirit.

18/06/2025

Congratulations The Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia Inc. on two decades of supporting and advocating for people affected by asbestos related diseases.

12/06/2025

Congratulations to Mr Phillip James Hazelton for his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). His ongoing dedication to a global campaign to ban asbestos is inspiring. ASSEA has worked in partnership with Phillip in his role at Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA for many years, and his work has been critical in implementing the international leadership actions under Australia’s Asbestos National Strategic Plan, particularly in progressing asbestos bans in South East Asia.

We commemorate Ms Simone Peta Stevenson and Mr Matthew James Peacock who both worked tirelessly fighting for people affected by asbestos.

Simone Stevenson was posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for the significant contribution she made to eliminating asbestos-related diseases in Australia. Simone advocated for the establishment of our agency, she was also a highly respected and valued member of our Council and a co-chair of the former Asbestos Awareness Committee.

Journalist Mr Matthew James Peacock was posthumously appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). In 2009 Matt authored ‘Killer Company’, a critically lauded book on the asbestos industry at the time. His strived to shed light on corruption in the asbestos-manufacturing industry and advocated for Australian workers.

The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List.

03/06/2025

As part of National Reconciliation Week , Brookfield Place in Sydney is hosting a Charmaine Davis exhibition – https://www.reconciliation.org.au/event/charmaine-davis-exhibition/

Charmaine is a proud Gumbaynggir and Bundjalung artist based in Queensland. Charmaine repurposes different textiles, including material from curtains, to create intricate landscape paintings and 3D to tell her story and that of her lineage and people. Artist | Charmaine Davis – https://www.charmainedavis.com.au/

Our staff were amazed by the combination of traditional and non-traditional methods used to tell stories and demonstrate a spiritual connection to Country. Although National Reconciliation Week is coming to an end this free exhibition will stay open until 20 June 2025. The art is deeply connected to culture, homelands, and family, and shows wonderful insight into First Nations culture.

01/06/2025

The theme to this year’s National Reconciliation Week is ‘Bridging Next to Now’.

25 years ago, ‘Corroboree 2000’ brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders in a historic call for reconciliation. To assist reconciliation, we are working with First Nations communities to build a Reconciliation Action Plan.

We know that First Nations peoples are more likely to be affected by asbestos- and silica-related diseases. Together, with understanding and respect, we can eliminate asbestos-related diseases and silica-related diseases in Australia.

31/05/2025

ASSEA staff attended a National Reconciliation Australian Academy of Science – “Science, Country and Community: Indigenous Knowledges challenging the system”.

This event looked at Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing across diverse disciplines and how this could reshape the way research is conducted and understood.

The evening was hosted by Tiahni Adamson, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, marine scientist and passionate advocate for Indigenous-led climate action.

The speakers were three leading Indigenous researchers and community advocates; Young Australian of the Year, Dr Katrina Wruck, Associate Professor Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch and Dr Mitchell Gibbs.

If you are interested in learning more, you can watch a recording of the event –

Join us for an evening of conversation and connection, as the Australian Academy of Science hosts a special event to celebrate National Reconciliation Week at the Shine Dome.

30/05/2025

As part of our Reconciliation Week activities, ASSEA staff members attended an interactive workshop –“The Psychology of Bridging Now to Next”.

The workshop was facilitated by psychologists and explored reasons why it is common for people and organisations to have good intentions but fail to act on them, and how to achieve long-term change.

Our staff came away with the confidence and knowledge to bridge the gap, personally and professionally, between future goals and their good intentions, navigate obstacles, and take meaningful steps towards reconciliation.

We look forward to implementing what we learned to develop our Reconciliation Action Plan and in our work with First Nations communities about the risk of asbestos and respirable silica exposures.

26/05/2025

This year’s National Reconciliation Week calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us. We aim to build relationships and policies that value First Nations peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

20/05/2025

WorkSafe has charged a bathroom wholesaler following alleged breaches of Victoria’s prohibition on the processing and supply of engineered stone. The company faces 21 charges for directing a worker to supply engineered stone, and 1 charge of directing a worker to cut engineered stone.

WorkSafe has charged a bathroom wholesaler following alleged breaches of Victoria’s prohibition on the processing and supply of engineered stone.

14/05/2025

The ASSEA team visiting WA has been inspired by the great work of various organisations to support the implementation of the Asbestos and Silica National Strategic Plans.

We heard firsthand how the City of Melville has successfully implemented a proactive asbestos removal program and has already removed asbestos materials from most of its council owned and operated buildings.

We also met with Cate Harman and her team at Reflections through Reality, who are undertaking essential work to support people suffering from disease.

Our next stop was the Cancer Council Western Australia, who are also doing amazing work to support the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancers caused by asbestos and silica.

While these meetings have identified opportunities to collaborate, they have also highlighted the passion and dedication of our stakeholders in eliminating asbestos- and silica-related diseases.

13/05/2025

A team from ASSEA are in beautiful, sunny Perth this week to engage with a range of our stakeholders in the West and discuss anything and everything related to asbestos and silica.

Yesterday we met students and researchers at Edith Cowan University and the University of Western Australia and ended the day presenting at the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists WA Chapter networking event.

Jodie Deakes, Julia Collins, Jackii Shepherd and Dr Rick van der Zwan shared information on key projects supporting the implementation of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024-2030.

The team enjoyed the opportunity to chat to asbestos professionals who showed a keen interest in our work. The first day of our trip was as much about the insight we have gained as what we have shared.

13/05/2025

Did you know that in Australia, we have one of the highest rates of asbestos-related disease in the world? Asbestos is estimated to kill over 4,000 Australians every year. The Asbestos National Strategic Plan 2024-2030 outlines the steps Australia will take, as a nation, to eliminate asbestos-related diseases, support people affected and work with other countries to do the same.

For more information, please watch our new Asbestos National Strategic Plan video.