A message from our new CEO - Jodie Deakes
As the new Chief Executive Officer of the now Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, I am extremely honoured to come to the agency following the success of the previous CEO Justine Ross and at a time of expanded functions for the agency. With the royal assent last week of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023, the amendment to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2023 has been enacted, meaning the agency can now play a central role in coordinating, monitoring and reporting on national efforts to eliminate both asbestos and silica-related diseases in Australia, and support those affected by these diseases. This change provides an enormous opportunity for the agency, our partners and the newly expanded Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Council, to continue the push that will build awareness of the risks of exposure, while securing protections needed, both nationally and internationally.
A staggering figure that continues to be stuck in my mind is that over 4000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases.1 Furthermore, from a preliminary analysis on the potential future burden of lung cancer and silicosis from occupational silica exposure in Australia, it was estimated that 10,000 cases of lung cancer and 100,000 cases of silicosis could result from current occupational exposures.2 After working for over 23 years for work health and safety regulators, engaging at the local, state, and national levels, I have spent a career developing expertise plus the understanding of the devastating impacts poor health and safety practice creates. Both asbestos and silica also have public health and environment implications. My passion for creating a collective way forward that will reach and protect those most at risk, has been my life’s work. Strong partnerships creating consumable information for the right audience at the right time while securing the required standards and the support for those most impacted is the collective job at hand. During this next era, working together will enable the change needed to address these devastating, yet avoidable, asbestos and silica health impacts, for the benefit of those at work and the community we serve.
In my first weeks, I have viewed the collective at work. It has been a very busy time for the agency and our partners. With National Asbestos Awareness Week, taking part in the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, and supporting the agency's media campaigns, asbestos messaging has absolutely been out in the community. A highlight was attending the function to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the complete ban of asbestos in Australia at Australian Parliament House. Meeting with representatives of support and advocacy groups, senators, ministers, and researchers, all passionately committed to continuing the work needed to address Australia’s asbestos legacy and high rates of asbestos-related diseases.
I am keen to ensure momentum on the asbestos issue is maintained. And I look forward to working with stakeholders and the community to understand the achievements to date, and how we can best collaborate to eliminate silica-related disease also. Watch this space.
I wish you all a safe and happy festive season.
Jodie Deakes
Chief Executive Officer, Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency
1. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019.
2. Curtin University (2022). The future burden of lung cancer and silicosis from occupational silica exposure in Australia: A preliminary analysis. Report commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
