I speak on the dramatic increase in cases of silicosis and silica-related diseases in our nation, particularly as a result of engineered stone. Silicosis is caused by the inhalation of silica dust, which embeds in the lungs and causes scarring. It is a progressive disease with no known cure. Engineered stone has become a popular material since the 2000s in our homes as a cheaper alternative to naturally occurring stone for kitchen benchtops. In 2022, engineered stone represented about 55 per cent of the kitchen benchtop market by volume, far beyond its closest competitors of laminate at 29 per cent; porcelain at 5 per cent; and granite at 4 per cent. This market is largely driven by residential building. As such, many new homes in my electorate of Leppington feature engineered stone benchtops in their kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. However, the high silica content—up to 95 per cent—of those composite stone materials pose an unacceptable silicosis risk to our tradesmen due to the fine crystalline silica dust it releases.

Despite representing only 2 per cent of those exposed to crystalline silica at work, engineered stone workers make up a majority of silicosis cases. Nearly one in four engineered stoneworkers employed in the industry before 2018 have already developed silicosis or similar silica dust-related diseases. The first half of the 2019-20 financial year saw a 70 per cent rise in silicosis cases. Silicosis is quickly emerging as asbestos mark two. Safe Work Australia recently handed down its report after undertaking analysis and consultation regarding the continued use of engineered stone. The report considered three options: a blanket prohibition on the use of engineered stone, a prohibition on stone with more than 40 per cent silica content and an accompanying licensing scheme for tradies working with engineered stone with less than 40 per cent silica content. Having considered all three options, the conclusion was clear: We must ban the use of all engineered stone. The report concluded:

There is no scientific evidence for a 'safe' threshold of crystalline silica content in engineered stone.

It went on to assert that "permitting work with lower silica engineered stone may encourage even greater non‑compliance with WHS laws" by the sector, mostly comprised of "small businesses with few barriers to entry and a lower understanding of WHS laws". To arbitrarily declare engineered stone safe at a lower threshold of silica content would be as unsafe as it is unscientific. The report from Safe Work Australia was unequivocal. The only way forward is a blanket prohibition of this deadly engineered stone. It is the only way we can protect workers. Any half measures on this issue will only continue to put stoneworkers at risk of silicosis. Unions have long held that this was the only way forward.

Recently, major retailers Bunnings and IKEA announced that they will stop selling this killer stone. I note that those moves follow years of advocacy by the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, as well as health groups such as Lung Foundation Australia, Cancer Council, the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists and the Public Health Association of Australia. However, relying on the goodwill of retailers will not adequately protect stoneworkers. Policymakers in this place and throughout the nation must take it upon themselves to institute an airtight ban on engineered stone. This is best done by national agreement, and I hope that State and Federal governments can negotiate an acceptable standard soon.

I was disappointed that a decision on a ban was deferred at the most recent Work Health and Safety Ministers' Meeting. We cannot afford to let this continue. I note that New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are all in favour of a national ban. I urge other States across the country to come to the table in support of our stoneworkers, who are facing unacceptable risks from the continued use of this product. I welcome the commitment of the Government and the Minister for Industrial Relations to ban engineered stone. I agree with the Minister when he said, "We need to get this right at a national level." We must act now to avoid those tragic health impacts escalating any further.