Woodside has been caught red handed importing asbestos into Australia for the second time in three weeks, AMWU State Secretary Steve McCartney said today.

Customs officials have boarded a vessel in Karratha bound for Woodside’s Pluto Project that is carrying overseas manufacturing work which contains asbestos fibres.

‘It is disgraceful that Woodside has been caught twice in three weeks with imported manufacturing that contains asbestos.’ Mr McCartney said.

‘Again we see manufacturing work that should be done locally go overseas and now, when it comes back in, it poses a risk to Australian workers and their families.’

‘If Woodside is importing asbestos products into Australia, what actions are they taking to protect the workers who are directly exposed to asbestos overseas? Woodside has a duty of care to these workers yet, with full knowledge of the dangers of asbestos to these workers, they seem ready to support the production and import of such material simply to fuel the Australian resource boom.'

‘What checks and balances are in place and why haven’t they been adhered to by Woodside.’

‘We demand that this ship be turned around and sent from Australian waters as soon as possible and that Woodside provides a commitment to Australian Workers that they will not risk their lives with any more hazardous materials.’