National Strategic Plan: Implementation Summit 2020
On Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 December the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency hosted a virtual Summit for the Implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019-2023 (NSP 2019-2023).
Over 65 officials from state, territory and commonwealth agencies with asbestos-related responsibilities participated including from work health and safety, environmental protection, public health, education, justice, planning and infrastructure.
The participation highlighted that, given the nature and extent of Australia’s asbestos legacy, no one agency – be that national or state – can address it alone, we must all work together.
The Summit provided participants with the opportunity to discuss the collection of data for reporting progress against the national targets, share challenges associated with managing asbestos issues and learn from each other. Each state and territory, as well as the Commonwealth, presented on how they are tracking in relation to implementing the National Strategic Plan NSP 2019-2023.
It was exciting to hear at the Summit that Western Australia has now endorsed NSP 2019-2023 and has commenced working towards its Priorities and Targets. This now means that all Australian governments are working together under the auspices of NSP 2019-2023 to address Australia’s harmful asbestos legacy.
The Summit highlighted that there is a hive of activity occurring around the country including the removal of asbestos from schools and aboriginal communities, the soon-to-be-completed Mr Fluffy Taskforce, a new model of engagement and action through the Latrobe Valley Taskforce, awareness activities both at work and in the community, increased prosecutions for those doing the wrong thing and work to prevent the illegal dumping of asbestos waste.
Asbestos awareness and management is a complex, multifaceted area and bringing all government practitioners together was felt to be of great value. Important contacts were made across the two days and participants were keen to establish an on-going community of ‘implementers’ to share information and data, collaborate and learn from each other.
ASEA looks forward to continuing to support all jurisdictions in their work to implement the NSP 2019-2023.
