Australian Navy still using asbestos despite being banned.

Many Australian’s would remember the sight of the valiant and courageous NSW Governor Sir David Martin desperately struggling to breath during a televised ceremony; it was only then revealed that our newly installed and highly popular Governor, NSW 34th Governor, was suffering from the devastating lung disease mesothelioma. Seeing that wonderful man resplendent in his uniform of the Royal Australian Navy and barely able to breathe broke the hearts of everyone who witnessed it. Sir David Martin was a retired officer of the RAN and like so many others had contracted the lung disease following years of service on board naval ships and exposure to the deadly asbestos. He brought the plight of many ex-service personnel to the fore and in the eighties the asbestos issue was already a national one due to the deaths of miners from asbestosis at Wittenoom in Western Australia.

Those coal miners and ex-navy personnel did not have an easy time proving that their employment conditions caused their lung diseases and most died before their cases could even be heard despite having the services of a  Mesothelioma lawyer who continued the fight on behalf of their families – the form of questionnaire issued to ex-personnel who wished to be considered for compensation back in the 80′s and 90′s was enough to discourage the most determined so detailed and intrusive were the questions. Asbestos was banned from use by the RAN back in 2004 but it has been revealed that the RAN continues to use deadly asbestos on it’s ships due to it being granted exemptions. The Australian Defence Force continues to place the health of it’s personnel at peril by it’s continued use of this material – a royal commission has been called for to seek explanation as to why it is still in use.

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