ACTU calls for inquiry into asbestos imports

Unions are calling for an independent inquiry into the ban on asbestos imports, seeking tougher laws for those caught importing it.

Unions are calling for an independent inquiry into the ban on asbestos imports, imploring the government to consider tougher laws for those caught bringing the deadly substance into Australia.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions resolved at a meeting of its executive late yesterday to call on the government to ­investigate how materials containing asbestos continue to enter the country despite the ban.

In letters to Employment Minister Eric Abetz and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton yesterday, the ACTU said a “wide-ranging” national inquiry should examine reform “which leads to the prosecution of people and businesses breaching the importation ban”.

An inquiry also should consider whether the Australian Border Force was “adequately funded” to detect asbestos-­containing materials, the council said.

“Asbestos is still being found in many of our imports, and the current importation controls are ­inadequate,” ACTU assistant secretary Michael Borowick wrote. “Embarrassingly, only two prosecutions for a breach of the ban have taken place in the past 11 years. More needs to be done to regulate and enforce the importation ban to protect the Australian community from asbestos-containing materials.”

Australia banned the importation of asbestos in 2004.

However, the cancer-causing substance is still found in mater­ials from China and Indonesia.

This month it was detected in Mickey Mouse and Teenage ­Mutant Ninja Turtle crayons and “CSI” science kits sold online in Australia.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission is yet to respond to a complaint about the crayons from the National Toxics Network, the ACTU said.

Asbestos has also been detected in cement compound boards, boilers, imported sheds, children toys, maritime vessels, brakes and other vehicle components.

Many of the imports are industrial building materials, prompting union concern.

The ACTU formed a coalition with asbestos support groups last month to petition the government and customs and immigration, including the new head of Border Force Roman Quaedvlieg to better enforce existing laws.

“The ACTU Executive resolves to continue its advocacy efforts on this issue until such time as the asbestos importation ban is adequately enforced,” the council’s resolution said.