Little Andrew: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLittle Andrew: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 03 July 2014. Volume:700;Page:19214. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.ANDREW LITTLE (Labour)to the Minister of Labour: What steps if any are being taken to protect working New Zealanders from asbestos or products with asbestos in them?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Labour):We are taking the issue of asbestos seriously particularly in the Christchurch rebuild. WorkSafe’s assessment inspectorate team in Canterbury has more than doubled since the beginning of this year. In the last 4 years inspectors in Canterbury have completed more than 2000 proactive assessments in construction focusing on key issues like asbestos and have issued more than a thousand enforcement notices. WorkSafe also provides guidance on the handling of asbestos and has been running seminars in Canterbury which have been attended by more than 1350 workers and contractors. We are also of course in the process of strengthening the regulatory regime on asbestos as part of the Working Safer reform package.Andrew Little: Is he aware that a product a 125 NB 150 ring gasket—an example of which I hold in my hand—which sits between the flanges in pipe connections and which is intended to be drilled is available for sale across the counter and this gasket contains no warning that it contains asbestos in this case chrysotile or white asbestos?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I am not aware of the precise matter that the member raises. I certainly will look into it given that he has raised it. I think the member alludes to the broader issue of a ban on asbestos or asbestos-related products. Certainly I think that is not a matter I have specific responsibility for. But I think I can tell the member that the Ministry for the Environment is doing an inventory of all imports and exports of products in this area which I think can foreseeably help us understand this matter better and form a policy position on that issue.Andrew Little: In view of the harmful effects of asbestos in particular as the cause of mesothelioma in thousands of workers in New Zealand over the last few decades does he accept that this is a substance that needs tighter control and will he take immediate steps to tighten controls?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Well of course we have a regulatory regime that is adequate but as I said in the primary answer we are also consulting right at the moment through to 1 August on what I think it would be fair to say is a more stringent regime. I think that will certainly be helpful. Broadly speaking it is an adoption of the Australian approach and effectively one of preventing all work with asbestos other than where there are specified exemptions that do allow work. As I say we are consulting on that right now.Andrew Little: In light of that answer—or perhaps notwithstanding it—as it is Action Mesothelioma Day tomorrow will he take the opportunity to take meaningful steps to protect workers who would otherwise be exposed to products like the 125 NB 150 ring gasket such as encouraging his colleague the Minister of Customs to prohibit the import of it under section 54 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: As I have already made clear the Ministry for the Environment is currently conducting an inventory to inform that issue. But of course to be very clear even were a ban on asbestos to occur we would still be in the position of having many decades of asbestos products and installations in homes and the like. What I think we can say is that the Government takes these issues seriously. That is why we have beefed up the inspectorate. That is why we are doing much more in education assessments and enforcement. That is why we have an inter-agency officials group working on all of these issues why very recently we have set up an occupational health advisory group to advise on strategies for the board and why we are strengthening the regulatory regime.Darien Fenton: Does he accept that New Zealand is now out of step with other countries when it comes to a complete ban on the importation of asbestos-containing products and will he support a similar ban here in New Zealand especially given the epidemic of asbestos-related disease we are facing from the unnecessary exposure to asbestos in the Canterbury rebuild?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Firstly I just acknowledge what may be one of the member’s last questions and her sticking up for workers in this Parliament—better than some of her colleagues I might say. I do not accept her question though. I think obviously this is a complex matter that has a range of policies applied all over the world. I think we certainly have a sufficient regime as I have already said but as I have also said we are in all probability moving to a more stringent framework.Andrew Little: I seek leave to table two items. One is a document: a certificate of testing from Capital Environmental Services confirming that this gasket has asbestos in it. The second is the gasket itself.Mr SPEAKER: I will put the leave. It is for the House to decide. Leave is sought to table both the certificate and the particular product itself on the basis it may be informative to members of the House. Leave is sought to table those two items. Is there any objection? There is none. They can be tabled.Objects by leave laid on the Table of the House.