Open consultation for the National Dust Disease Taskforce

Overview

Background

On 26 July 2019 the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer announced the establishment of a National Dust Disease Taskforce to develop advice on a national approach to the prevention, early identification, control and management of dust diseases in Australia. The Terms of Reference, provided below under Related Documents, set out the approach for the Taskforce and the scope of their review.

These actions are in response to the emerging trend of new cases of the occupational disease, accelerated silicosis, occurring in Australia.

Why we are consulting

Through open consultation, the Taskforce seeks to understand the underlying issues to this trend, how to mitigate the exposure risks and prevent accelerated silicosis in at-risk people. To do this, during 2019 the Taskforce provided a range of opportunities for consultation, including a written submission process, and workshops which ran from 25 October 2019 through to 15 November 2019 across different jurisdictional locations within Australia. 

Consultation Paper

A Consultation Paper is provided below under Related Documents to initiate open consultation with stakeholders. The Paper provides important background and context information to start the conversation with stakeholders about dust diseases, in particular, the emergence of new cases of accelerated silicosis.

How can I be involved?

The Taskforce welcomes submissions for their consideration, including any case studies that describe or demonstrate views and ideas. Where possible, the Taskforce requests that submissions are framed against the Consultation Hub Questions.  Submissions may also be uploaded in a document (3,000 word limit), or include other information relevant to the work of the Taskforce, framed against the Terms of Reference.

You can provide a submission to the Taskforce at the link below under Provide Your Submission.

Further consultation opportunities

The Taskforce consultation forums for 2019 have closed. Further consultation will be required in 2020 to build on the learnings of this first phase of consultation, along with other information the Taskforce has considered. Advice around the 2020 consultation forums, and how to register attendance, will be provided in early to mid 2020 through the Taskforce webpage and mailing distribution list (please subscribe by emailing dust@health.gov.au. Your email address will then be added to a mailing list to receive any future updates). 

Stay informed

Information about the Taskforce and regular updates about consultation opportunities are available on the National Dust Disease Taskforce webpage, at www.health.gov.au/dust.

What happens next

The Taskforce is aware that the outcomes of this review of silicosis may have relevance to other occupational disease policy. The outcomes may provide governments, industry, researchers and clinicians with an opportunity to obtain greater value from the work of the Taskforce, by applying its learnings and outcomes to broader issues of lung disease and emerging occupational diseases.

It is anticipated that further consultation will be required in 2020 to build on the learnings of the first phase of consultation, along with other information the Taskforce has considered. These processes will be important to help shape the Taskforce’s recommendations to the Minister for Health and Australian Health Ministers through the COAG Health Council.