Speeches

HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [5.52 pm]: I rise on the final day of this week’s sitting because I finally want to make comment on an issue that has been raised in both chambers of this Parliament this week. I cannot bite my tongue any more, and I want to speak about this. That is the media injunction that has been issued against releasing the identity of a man who is currently a resident of the disability justice centre.

HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [6.21 pm]: I rise to speak about the incredibly concerning rise in the number of cases of silicosis occurring across Australia as a result of occupational exposure to silica. I particularly want to acknowledge the important work that UnionsWA and the union movement generally have been doing in trying to bring attention to what I think will be quite a serious crisis. We know that people who work in industries exposed to silica dust are currently at unacceptable risk of developing silicosis unless urgent action is taken.