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Media Releases

Beware Asbestos Risks Following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s Flood Devastation

March 11, 2025
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

In the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, heavy rains and flooding have caused extensive damage across Southeast QLD and Northern NSW, displacing thousands of people and leaving homes, businesses, and properties severely affected. As communities wait for floodwaters to recede and rainfall to ease before beginning cleanup, homeowners, businesses, and rural property owners are urged to be aware of potential asbestos risks in damaged structures and debris. Cherie Barber, Ambassador for the National Asbestos Awareness campaign is urging those impacted to be wary of potential dangers posed by damaged asbestos-containing materials found in homes, buildings, structures and flood debris that…

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Advocacy Australia Welcomes MHRT Reforms but Calls for Further Action

February 24, 2025
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

Advocacy Australia has welcomed NSW Government amendments to the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 and the Mental Health Act 2007, strengthening oversight and governance in forensic mental health matters but says more needs to be done. Key amendments to the Acts are: Clare Collins, Chair of Advocacy Australia said, “We’re deeply grateful to Mr Philip Donato MP, Member for Orange and The Hon. Rose Jackson MP, Minister for Mental Health for their commitment to initiating essential reforms and to MLCs and MPs who voted to support them to help better protect the community from forensic killers….

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Advocacy Australia Welcomes Coronial Inquest Into Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s Death

November 27, 2024
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

In response to our request for an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the tragic killing of Bridgette “Biddy” Porter on behalf of Biddy’s parents, overnight we learned that after considering our application the NSW State Coroner, Her Honour Magistrate O’Sullivan, is of the opinion that an inquest should be held. Clare Collins, Chair of Advocacy Australia said, “We welcome the State Coroner’s decision in the hope that Biddy’s parents will learn what led to Biddy’s horrific killing, and hope that the knowledge gained through an inquest might help prevent other similar killings.” The request to the NSW State Coroner was…

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20,000+ Voices Strong: Justice for Biddy Porter Advances to NSW Parliament Debate

September 2, 2024
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

When Rebekah Porter, mother of 10-year-old Bridgette “Biddy” Porter initiated the campaign seeking justice for her precious little girl, she could not have imagined how deeply Biddy’s tragic story would touch the hearts of so many, with media and the community throwing their full support behind the #Justice4BiddyPorter campaign. After four agonising years since Biddy’s brutal killing at the hands of a young person she trusted, today, less than two months after Advocacy Australia launched the Justice for Biddy Porter campaign, the NSW Parliament e-petition has achieved the minimum 20,000 signatures required for Independent MP for Orange, Philip Donato, to…

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Urgent calls for Inquiries into DPP, Mental Health Review Tribunal & DCJ Victims’ Services

July 7, 2024
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

On the fourth anniversary of the brutal killing of 10-year-old Bridgette “Biddy” Porter by a teenage girl known to her; Biddy’s parents, Rebekah and Dominic are fighting for justice for their precious little girl who, until now, has been made invisible by a system her parents say is focussed on protecting their daughter’s killer, rather than meeting community expectations and achieving justice for their daughter and her loved ones.

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Westfield Bondi Junction Massacre

April 15, 2024
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| Media Releases, Newsroom, Uncategorised

Following the extreme act of violence that took six lives and harmed many others at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday 13th April, Advocacy Australia extends our heartfelt sympathies to all affected by these senseless actions. We commend the remarkable bravery and equanimity of community members, police and other first responders in the face of such horror. Australia must address the rising incidences of violent crimes perpetrated by individuals afflicted with severe mental health disorders. We have reached a critical juncture demanding decisive action and it’s imperative that the Prime Minister and the leaders of all state and territory governments respond…

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Asbestos debris could be closer to home than you think!

February 15, 2024
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

As councils and government agencies continue to test for asbestos in mulch on government-owned sites, Clare Collins, Chair of the Asbestos Education Committee has urged the public not to panic but to avoid mulched areas until sites have been inspected and cleared of possible asbestos contamination. Agreeing with Premier Chris Minns that it’s completely unacceptable to find asbestos in mulch in public places, amid growing concerns Ms Collins has urged the public to remain calm but said if they observe what they suspect are pieces of bonded asbestos in a public place, to contact the local council immediately. “According to…

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Australia’s tenth annual National Asbestos Awareness Month launches new Asbestos Education resource

November 27, 2023
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

As Australia continues to face the significant health risks of asbestos-related diseases due to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remaining hidden in one third of Aussie homes, the Asbestos Education Committee and Advocacy Australia launched their 10th annual National Asbestos Awareness Month campaign with a new education resource, Asbestos 101 for Residential Property Owners, Managers and Tradies. To help reduce the incidences of asbestos-related diseases, since 2011 the annual National Asbestos Awareness campaign has developed vital new resources to ensure Australians continue to learn to manage asbestos safely by providing user-friendly and often world-first resources at www.asbestosawareness.com.au Clare Collins, Chair of the…

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TEN THOUSAND REASONS FOR RESPECT

January 30, 2023
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| Media Releases, Newsroom

The Asbestos & HAZMAT Removal Contractors Association (AHRCA) has presented Advocacy Australia with a cheque for $10,000 at the Master Builders Association of NSW to support the invaluable work of the Asbestos Education Committee in raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos through their “Respect Asbestos” campaigns, asbestosawareness.com.au, and the annual National Asbestos Awareness Month Campaign each November.

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