The Asbestos Education Committee
The Asbestos Education Committee is a collaborative advisory group established by Advocacy Australia to guide the development and delivery of national asbestos awareness and prevention initiatives. Bringing together industry experts, government representatives, health professionals and individuals affected by asbestos-related diseases, the Committee provides strategic oversight, ensures the accuracy and relevance of educational content, and supports the ongoing development of free, evidence-based resources. Its work is focused on reducing asbestos exposure and preventing asbestos-related disease through accessible, practical and community-driven education.
Originally established in 2011 by SafeWork NSW, the Committee was incorporated under Advocacy Australia in 2020 to ensure the continuation of coordinated, expert-led asbestos education efforts. It provides trusted guidance on asbestos-related risks, emerging issues and best practice approaches to public education and risk prevention.
The Committee comprises experienced industry leaders dedicated to improving awareness and saving lives. It is co-chaired by Alice Collins and Clare Collins, creators and managers of asbestosawareness.com.au and Australia’s multi-award-winning asbestos education campaigns since 2011. The Committee also includes founding member Joanne Wade and other respected experts committed to advancing national asbestos education outcomes.
Asbestos Education Committee Objectives
Advocacy Australia and its Asbestos Education Committee were established with the primary public health objective being to save lives by preventing asbestos-related diseases in Australia. This is achieved through:
- Delivering and continuously improving the National Asbestos Awareness Month campaign.
- Maintaining and updating asbestosawareness.com.au as a central, authoritative education platform.
- Developing new, accessible asbestos safety resources for national use.
- Deploying Betty the Asbestos Education House to metropolitan, regional and rural communities.
- Reinforcing that asbestos remains widespread with legacy asbestos posing an ongoing health risk.
- Educating homeowners, renovators and tradies to recognise likely asbestos locations in pre-1990 homes.
- Promoting safe, informed decision-making before renovation, maintenance, demolition or clean-up.
- Encouraging compliant identification, testing, removal and disposal with licensed professionals.
- Providing free practical tools and guidance to prevent exposure.
- Supporting long-term prevention through sustained awareness and policy engagement.
Asbestos Education Committee Members
Bret Baker JP
Bret Baker is President of the Asbestos & Hazmat Removal Contractors Association of NSW (AHRCA). Bret is a Civil and Environmental Engineer and is the Managing Director of Beasy Pty Ltd with more than 25 years experienced in asbestos removal and demolition. Bret is a long-time industry representative on a number of government asbestos and demolition advisory committees including SafeWork NSW Demolition & Asbestos Consultative Committee and the The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency – Non-Government Asbestos Advisory Committee (NGAAC). Bret has presented at state and national asbestos forums on asbestos-related industry issues. Bret is a member of the Asbestos Education Committee for the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign.
John Batty
John Batty is one of the founding members and former President of the Asbestos & Hazardous-Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) and Managing Director of EDP Consultants, a global provider of Health, Safety and Environmental Services. John has more than 20 years’ experience in asbestos and hazardous materials management and is a consultant to a number of government departments and private organisations. John is a member of the Asbestos Education Committee for the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign.
Clare Collins – Chair
Clare Collins is the Director of the National Asbestos Awareness Month campaign and asbestosawareness.com.au. Clare is the Managing Director of Insight Communications, the creators and managers of the Asbestos Awareness campaign since 2011. Working in consultation with government experts and industry leaders, Insight are the creatives behind the multi-award winning campaign and asbestosawareness.com.au. Insight has presented the campaign to stakeholders and industry leaders in the UK, Europe and Australia. Clare is the Chair of Advocacy Australia and the Asbestos Education Committee.
Alice Collins – Co-Chair
Alice Collins is a multi-award-winning communications director and co-chair of Advocacy Australia’s Asbestos Education Committee with more than a decade of leadership in national asbestos education and prevention. Since 2011, she has co-created asbestosawareness.com.au and led the delivery of the National Asbestos Awareness Month campaign. Alice brings extensive experience in public health and community advocacy, providing strategic leadership, communications expertise and governance oversight to ensure asbestos education remains authoritative, accessible and aligned with regulatory requirements, helping protect Australians from preventable asbestos exposure.
Councillor Greg Cummings
Clr Cummings has previously served as Mayor and Councillor on the former Holroyd City Council since 2004. He was elected as the first Mayor of Cumberland since inception in 2017. Clr Cummings has been instrumental in the initiation of the Workplace Tragedy Memorial, the asbestos awareness campaign, and Reconciliation Day. He strives to represent his constituents and is passionate about local issues. Clr Cummings is a member of the Asbestos Education Committee for the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign.
Mathew Klintfält, Asbestos Awareness Advocate and son of the Late Carol Klintfält AM
Mathew Klintfält is the son of the Late Carol Klintfält AM who was honoured with an Order of Australia in Queen’s Birthday Honours Roll 2015 for her tireless advocacy to Asbestos Awareness following her diagnosis with mesothelioma. Mathew is an advocated for the prevention of asbestos-related diseases providing personal insight into the impact asbestos had on his mother and his family and a member of the Asbestos Education Committee for the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign.
Phillip Smith
Phillip Smith is the Group Executive for Environment, Health, Safety and Quality at SHAPE Australia Pty Limited. Phil has over 30 years’ experience in the building industry and holds trade, construction, strategic leadership and WHS qualifications. Phil is a member of the Asbestos & Hazmat Removal Contractors Association and the OFSC Industry Reference Group, and strongly advocates for asbestos awareness causes, industry associations and charitable organisations. SHAPE has a strong focus on asbestos management, education, and awareness, with industry-leading asbestos management systems. Phil is a member of the Asbestos Education Committee for the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign.
Joanne Wade
Joanne Wade is the Head of Asbestos and Dust Diseases for Slater and Gordon Lawyers and is a respected thought leader in advocating for the needs of people with asbestos-related diseases since 1996. Joanne brings a unique credibility and very personal experience to the role, as her father is a victim of asbestos disease, which has led her to a career she is passionate about. Ms Wade was a founding member of Australia’s first Asbestos Education Committee in 2011 and volunteers her expertise to the Asbestos Awareness Campaign aimed at educating homeowners and renovators on the dangers of asbestos.
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