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An ongoing investigation by the Socialist Equality Party |
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Return to Record of the Workers Inquiry For a workers inquiry into leukaemia crisis On November 24, 1996, the Socialist Equality Party convened a public meeting in the Wollongong suburb of Cringila to discuss the need for a workers inquiry into the fact that at least 15 young people living or working near the Port Kembla steelworks have contracted leukaemia since 1989. Having heard a statement from Melissa Cristiano, then seriously ill with the disease, and reports on the preliminary investigation conducted by Workers News, the 80 residents, steelworkers, families of leukaemia victims, students and others at the meeting voted overwhelmingly for the following resolution: "That this public meeting: "1. Calls for the establishment of an independent workers inquiry into the leukaemias, cancers and serious health problems in the Wollongong area. The Carr government's inquiry, to be carried out by the Illawarra Public Health Unit with BHP sitting on the steering committee, is designed to continue the years of coverup of the relationship between these health problems and the industrial pollution in the area. A genuinely independent workers inquiry is needed to lay bare the truth. "2. Establishes a committee to convene the Workers Inquiry and urges all those interested to participate in its work." |