Every breach of Australia’s zero-tolerance policy on asbestos imports should be punished, the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency says.

In a submission to the reopened Senate inquiry into non-conforming building products, the agency lists a number of high-profile incidents, including the discovery of asbestos in roof panels at the Perth Children’s Hospital last year.

The independent agency was established by the Federal Government in 2013 to work with state and territory governments to improve asbestos awareness and management in the broader community. It says more visible enforcement and consequences are needed.

“Punitive measures must be enforced to ensure products that are brought to Australia don’t contain [asbestos],” its submission says.

“Considering the legacy issues we already have in Australia… any breach of the regulation should not go without consequence.

“Strict liability should be imposed on the supply chain to ensure compliance.”

The agency says there is significant risk posed by building companies importing materials from Chinese manufacturers.

“China is still a major producer of asbestos. In addition to mining asbestos, China imports about 50% of the world’s mined asbestos, and has no legislative prohibitions on manufacturing or exporting chrysotile asbestos.”

Submissions are now closed and the Senate Economics References Committee is to report by May 25.