Joanna McNeill
Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (10:17): I recently met with Joanna McNeill in my electorate office – a wonderful, vivacious woman and a single mum of two little girls – who unfortunately has recently been diagnosed with silicosis, a deadly disease that causes irreversible scarring and stiffening of the lungs. I acknowledge that she is here today with us. She was exposed at Boral’s Montrose quarry between the years of 2013 and 2019. Over six years she was exposed to dangerous silica dust. They failed to provide her with respiratory protection equipment. Boral knew of the risks and ignored them for six years. Boral has since been fined a measly $180,000. For a company of this size that is just pocket money. As time progresses Joanna’s lung capacity will diminish until she has to struggle every single day breathing. Boral’s neglect was avoidable, yet they have destroyed her health, her life and the future she has with her daughters. I am absolutely outraged that Boral has failed its workers, ignored basic health and safety and exposed staff like the beautiful Joanna to this disease. They should be absolutely ashamed.
Joanna is a brave fighter. She does not know how much longer she has to spend with her little girls, but using what time she has left to protect and stand up for workers is absolutely admirable. I thank her and the AWU for their advocacy.