Statement - Liberals and Nationals secure taskforce to audit dangerous asbestos

Statement – Liberals and Nationals secure taskforce to audit dangerous asbestos

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change

18 April 2024.

Over a week and a half after refusing calls from the Liberals and Nationals to establish a broad audit of dangerous materials on State land, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed creation of an audit investigation team.

Quietly late this afternoon the EPA confirmed the creation of an Agency Command Team, comprising of Agency staff, public health scientists and specialist investigators.

Confirmation of adopting a broader investigation auditing team comes after tests confirmed at least ten public sites have contained dangerous asbestos materials, with five more sites currently being tested for potential contamination.

Shadow Minister Environment and Climate Change, James Newbury, said: “Finally, the Allan Labor Government has listened to the Liberals and Nationals’ calls for a broader investigation and auditing of public land for dangerous materials.

“It is deeply concerning that Labor has stubbornly waited a week and a half before accepting the need to properly assess the safety of public land.

“Public safety should have been the first priority on day one. Yet what we have seen is an initial refusal to fully assess the risk and, frankly, shocking public messaging.

“The confirmation of a broader investigation is welcomed but should have been announced publicly to give the community confidence, instead of being hidden at night, because it was proposed by the Liberals and Nationals.”

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change