The Wire

Even though the importation of asbestos was banned in 2003 and no new buildings are allowed to use it, the deadly fibre is still making its way past our borders.

Dodgy builders buying cheap materials probably don’t know they contain asbestos but a rise in its production and consumption in poorly regulated Asian markets means there’s a ready supply for Australian construction sites.

Then there’s also the murkier world of the pro-asbestos lobby and corporate spies infiltrating Australian anti-asbestos campaigns.

It all might add up to a disaster waiting to happen.