"The whole-of-government approach means asbestos and asbestos-containing products will be banned by 2018."

How exactly do you "ban asbestos"?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance, like granite and quartz.

You might as well ban oak trees or ban icicles.

Don't get me wrong - I am all for eliminating asbestos from industrial applications where everyday human exposure occurs (ironing boards, brakes, building insulation, etc. etc. etc.).

But I have a sneaking suspicion we should probably allow inorganic chemistry professors and geologists and cancer researchers to have access to small amounts for research purposes. Seems a bit odd to have a blanket ban on a naturally occurring substance including research...