Changes have been made to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 and the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 to allow asbestos to be exported from Norfolk Island.
The Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities worked closely with the Department of Jobs and Small Business and the Department of Home Affairs to change the law so that asbestos, and goods containing asbestos, can be exported from Norfolk Island to mainland Australia for disposal.
Asbestos disposal on Norfolk Island must still be in accordance with the Waste Management Act 2003 (NI).Any asbestos to be exported requires export permission for the asbestos to leave Norfolk Island, as well as an import permit for it to be received on the mainland.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is responsible for administering the permission scheme for the export and import of asbestos on behalf of the Minister administering the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
For more information, visit www.asbestossafety.gov.au/.
Eric Hutchinson
April 2019