59142 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Written Question

Published date: 09 Feb 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	59142 (2025)
Question asked:	16 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Arena Williams
Portfolio:	Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Minister replying:	Hon Scott Simpson
Answer received:	02 Feb 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_59142_2025
Document guid:	5304fc77-ea09-48bf-b1ba-69a4592f3f31

59142 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Regarding consumer sand products, does the Minister agree with Professors Shaw and Sims that further work to estimate airborne asbestos levels in the air environment around play sand play areas is necessary to estimate the magnitude of children’s exposure and future cancer risk?

Hon Scott Simpson: I agree that further testing is required to better understand the exposure risk. AUT is currently undertaking simulated classroom use testing, and the results of this work should help build a clearer picture of the potential public health risk.