Refugees on Nauru have been exposed to asbestos after dumped shipping containers filled with asbestos sheeting were discovered only metres away from the Fly Camp settlement.
Leaked minutes from a meeting between Nauru’s Government and Australian officials says Brisbane construction firm, Canstruct, identified the ‘safety concern’, and noticed some of the refugees were using the sheeting to build sheds, unaware of the danger.
A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs says, "The Department is aware of this matter and it has been raised with the Government of Nauru for appropriate action.”
"The Department and its service providers are working to educate residents about the dangers of the material and encourage them to keep away from it until it can be safely removed by the Government of Nauru."