EXTRACT FROM
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
HANSARD

Ms SHING
Eastern Victoria

CONSTITUENCY QUESTIONS
Eastern Victoria Region

Wednesday, 18 October 2017

Eastern Victoria Region
Ms SHING (Eastern Victoria) (12:41) — The question that I have today is for the Minister for Health, Ms Hennessy, and it relates to the work being undertaken by the Asbestos Council of Victoria (ACV), which also auspices the Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support (GARDS) group. In this regard the group, which is staffed entirely by volunteers and relies upon donations and grants, does have a very significant set of challenges when it comes to making ends meet — being able to deliver the educational and outreach services and support, and being able to provide equipment to people, many of whom live and work in Gippsland, who are suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, silicosis and other respiratory diseases. This is particularly prevalent given the increase in DIY work as people renovate their own homes. What support can the minister provide to make sure that ACV and GARDS are able to continue this work, and how can we resource them better to give them every opportunity to continue that really important community work?