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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-06-08 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

Asbestos Containing Materials

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:00): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: SafeWork SA is undertaking an investigation into the importation of building products from China by an Adelaide-based company that provides infrastructure and facilities to the mining and construction sectors. It is understood that the product has been used for facilities at the company worksite and in the production of portable structures.

Workers and former workers have been informed of the situation and have been provided with counselling and health assessments. SafeWork SA has been on site to inform workers about asbestos health risks and about exposure. I am advised that there is no current immediate risk of exposure from the asbestos containing sheeting in portable buildings manufactured by the company. I repeat that: I am advised there is no current immediate risk of exposure from the portable buildings manufactured by the company.

However, SafeWork SA is working with the Environment Protection Agency, the relevant local council and the federal Department of Immigration and Border Protection. SafeWork SA has issued statutory notices to ensure that the company develops a removal strategy, reviews procedures regarding the import of materials, engages a competent person for the clean down of the work area and develops appropriate risk assessments.

The EPA has issued an environmental order in relation to the ACM on the site. The Australian Border Force is investigating whether there have been breaches of the Customs Act 1901. SafeWork SA's investigation team and Border Force will work collaboratively together where possible. This is the second instance of a South Australian company important asbestos containing building products into the country. I have written to the federal Minister for Employment to alert her to this incident and to seek a commitment to increase monitoring—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: —and enforcement of the ban on the importation of asbestos containing materials at the point of entry.

The SPEAKER: The leader and deputy leader are both called to order. The minister was given leave.

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