One would hope that the authorities will undertake enough sampling at this early stage to quickly put together a database of which components they are finding typically contain asbestos and those that almost certainly wouldn't, and then the process of checking a vehicle of a particular make/model/source and clearing it would become much simpler.
The reality is that while we all think of asbestos as that nasty stuff contained in the matrix of the old fibro, in reality it was used during manufacture of hundreds of different materials and products used in building construction, far and away more than most people realize. Thinking of ripping up old vinyl or old hessian carpet backing during a reno? Better to get advice first and if necessary get it checked. Etc.
It could be a similar situation with vehicles. So while the metals used one can expect to be safe, what about all the other components? That's why vehicles have been sampled and I'd like the findings made public. With regard to our old Fords, setting aside the obvious like brake and clutch linings, what about sound deadening products, vinyls, soft paddings and trim, electrical parts, cable wrappings, rubbers, mouldings, in fact anything non-metallic that would benefit from enhanced heat resistance.
Down the track we will all be better off, or at least our kids will.
Just got to get those other countries where asbestos is not illegal but whom we trade with to come to the party too.