Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. I refer to reports that imported materials from China, used to build wind towers in Australia, contain asbestos. What action is the minister taking to address this?

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank my honourable friend for the question, and the Minister for Workplace Relations may care to add to the answer after this. I am aware that asbestos has been found in 3S Industry lift brake pads used in a Goldwind Australia project, Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania, which was completed in 2020.

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's a very serious matter, and I'm just providing a factual update to the honourable member. I take him in good faith that he asked the question in good faith, and I'm providing him with the facts in return.

A program of further checks is under way by state regulators to determine if other wind farms are impacted. They may well be. There are a number of wind farms that use 3S Industry lifts, and 3S Industry doesn't just do wind turbines. They provide lifts for any high infrastructure. They provide industrial lifts. Obviously, they apply in wind turbines, but they can also apply in other industrial facilities. Work is being conducted to replace the affected parts under comprehensive safety management plans, and independent industrial hygienists have been assessing the risk. It's the responsibility of importers and exporters to ensure that they do not import or export prohibited goods such as asbestos.

We are currently working with the states. The state regulators are the primary regulators of this, but I'm sure the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations would tell us, if she were asked, that we are working—through Safe Work Australia and any other agencies—with the states to ensure that every possible check is being undertaken, because this is an historical matter which deserves to be thoroughly investigated. The workers of Australia deserve nothing less, and we will ensure that that's the case.