2024-02-15
The newly announced Asbestos Taskforce from the NSW Government and Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and their contact tracing program will be overwhelmed by the continued movement of asbestos contaminated material across NSW unless a moratorium is instituted.
Greens MP and spokesperson for the Environment Sue Higginson said “When contact tracing was introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government rightly instituted restrictions on movement to avoid the crisis from growing out of control,”
“We need the Government to take a stand and limit the movement of materials, that are likely contaminated with asbestos, so that contact tracing can do its job and resolve the failed regulation and corrupted supply chain,”
“Asbestos related disease is still killing 4000 Australians every year, and now we know that NSW is allowing the distribution of this deadly substance to schools, hospitals and playgrounds. There must be surety and confidence that asbestos is not in mulch materials before allowing it to be sent out to sensitive areas where it will harm humans and the environment,” Ms Higginson said.