AVA joined with other Asbestos Support Groups from around Australia at the PGARD meeting held at Parliament House in Canberra in August.The meeting was co-chaired by Senator Lisa Singh and Russell Broadbent MP.

Peter Tighe, CEO of the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency, spoke to the meeting about the progress of the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness.

Kate Lee, Executive Officer, Union Aid Abroad, reported on the work that APHEDA is doing in the Mekong district (Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia & Vietnam) to educate workers, medical professionals and government about the dangers of asbestos.

Russell Broadbent acknowledged the work of Peter Tighe in leading ASEA for the last five years, describing him as 'the heart of the broken hearted'.