Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, has raised serious concerns following news that asbestos has been detected in Clarke Creek Wind Farm, marking it as the third wind farm in Australia with Chinese-made Goldwind turbines containing the hazardous material.
“Asbestos has been banned in Australia for over 20 years and the importation of asbestos-containing goods has been illegal since 2003,” Ms Landry said.
“Yet asbestos has now been found in 5 per cent of wind turbines nationwide. It is believed that up to 50 workers may have been exposed to the part containing asbestos at Clarke Creek. This is completely unacceptable and Australian workers must be protected.”
Clarke Creek Wind Farm uses Goldwind turbines, the same brand previously found to contain asbestos at other sites. Ms Landry is calling for an immediate pause on all turbine installations until the full extent of the risk is understood.
“The Minister has the power to act, and he must act immediately,” Ms Landry said.
“This is not about politics, this is about the health and safety of Australian workers. Any supply chains allowing asbestos into the country must be shut down. If that requires tough conversations with foreign governments, so be it.”
Ms Landry also stressed the need for a comprehensive audit of all renewable energy and construction projects to ensure no asbestos is slipping through supply chains.
“The Government must prioritise transparency and urgency. Australians deserve to know whether asbestos is entering renewable energy and construction projects and what is being done to stop it,” she said.
“This Government is distracted, unfocused and failing to deliver. They’re not addressing safety concerns. They’re not fixing the energy system. Now, Australian workers are being exposed to this deadly material. It’s sheer incompetence from a government who is blindly pushing forward with their ideological energy policy.”
ENDS
Media contact:
Lauren Clein: 0418 908 159
