Shane Love MLA, Leader of The Nationals WA, Member for Mid-West, Shadow Minister for Regional Development; Mines and Petroleum, Electoral Affairs (WA), Media Release, 2 December 2025
Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love MLA has called out the Cook Labor Government for its failure to provide clear answers or decisive action following revelations that asbestos has been discovered in the lift brake pads of wind turbines imported into Australia from China.
Mr Love said that while WorkSafe agencies in Victoria and New South Wales had already issued public statements outlining their investigations and regulatory responses, Western Australians had received nothing but deflection and uncertainty.
“Instead of giving straight answers, the Minister simply said she was ‘confident’ WorkSafe was across the issue, before shifting responsibility to the Commonwealth,” Mr Love said.
“That level of complacency is unacceptable. These turbines are operating right across regional Western Australia. Communities deserve to know whether they are safe.”
Mr Love said critical public health and environmental questions remained unanswered by the Cook Labor Government.
“If they have not all been inspected, the Minister must explain why, and precisely when those inspections will take place,” he said.
“Beyond that, there must be clarity on what radius around an affected turbine would be deemed contaminated or restricted while assessments are undertaken.”
Mr Love said the Minister must also disclose what advice she has received regarding how far asbestos fibres can drift in the high-wind environments in which these turbines operate, and whether any confirmed contamination would pose risks to soil quality or compromise food crops on neighbouring agricultural land.
“Western Australians need confidence that the State Government is treating a potential asbestos exposure risk with the seriousness it requires,” he said.
“The Minister should today confirm whether areas surrounding these turbines ought to be restricted until inspections are completed, and whether workers and nearby agricultural land face any risk.”
