The Construction, Forestry, Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) has hailed the full ban on engineered stone as a life-saving decision.
Federal, state and territory ministers today announced the deadly product will be banned from July 1 2024.
The CFMEU’s Stop This Killer Stone campaign called for a total ban on the import, manufacture and use of engineered stone.
The CFMEU’s campaign also had the support of retailers like Bunnings and IKEA, major construction and property companies like John Holland, Lendlease, Mirvac and Cubs Property, as well as the vast majority of Australians.
CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith said Australia would be a safer place when the ban is implemented.
“This is an incredibly special day for Australian workers, especially every CFMEU member who fought for this life-saving change,” he said.
“This announcement is a massive victory for people like Kyle Goodwin, the former stonemason who bravely fronted our union’s campaign after contracting incurable silicosis from simply from doing his job.
“Kyle selflessly dedicated a huge chunk of his remaining days to stopping other workers from being given the same unthinkable diagnosis.
“Like Bernie Banton and asbestos, Kyle Goodwin’s name deserves to be inextricably linked to the ban on engineered stone.
“The CFMEU is ready to help governments implement the July 1 ban on the import, manufacture and use of engineered stone.
“I want to congratulate Tony Burke and all his state counterparts who have backed the CFMEU’s campaign.
“From the start of this campaign, our union has said we would implement our own ban on July 1. The decision made today means we won’t have to.”
