Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday marked the last day of Asbestos Awareness Month, so it gives me the opportunity to shine a light on an extraordinary organisation in my electorate which is doing fantastic work in this space. The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute is the only standalone, dedicated medical research institute which focuses on asbestos and dust related diseases in Australia. Opened in 2009, with the support of Labor state and federal governments, it was founded to address the serious public health consequences for people with asbestos related diseases—diseases which are still all too prevalent today.

Located in Concord hospital in the aptly named Bernie Banton Centre, the institute has led the way with innovations across the preclinical, clinical and public health spaces. From diagnosing mesothelioma to developing early diagnosis techniques, this organisation is at the cutting edge of researching these appalling diseases. And their research and expertise goes beyond our borders. In collaboration with the WHO, they have launched an e-toolkit for the elimination of asbestos related diseases across developing countries, an example of great Australian research flying the flag overseas. I want to congratulate and thank all the researchers associated with this fantastic institute.