Campaign to make Hardie pay

On September 8 the Victorian Trades Hall Council and the 
Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria launched a campaign on the 
steps of the Victorian Parliament House to bring James Hardie to 
account over its actions regarding compensation for victims of 
asbestos.

Rob Hulls, State Minister for Industrial Relations, addressed the 
group of asbestos sufferers, adding the Victorian Government's 
voice to the outrage felt by the public over James Hardie's 
behaviour.

As a part of the campaign, a billboard featuring Frank, an 
asbestos victim, was unveiled on the corner of La Trobe and 
Spencer Streets, Melbourne.

Speakers at the launch included asbestos sufferers, some of who 
would have travelled from as far as the La Trobe Valley to attend 
the event. There was also a symbolic laying of flowers to honour 
the 500 people who will die each year up until 2020 from 
asbestos.

"We will be utilising every resource we have to bring justice to 
asbestos victims and make James Hardie do the right thing and 
bring back the money from the Netherlands", said Trades Hall 
Secretary, Leigh Hubbard, referring to Hardie's skipping out of 
Australia.

"In addition to billboards, we will be holding a mass rally on 
September 15 at the Australian Stock Exchange, the day James 
Hardie will hold its shareholders' information meeting in 
Sydney."

According to Jane Staley from the Asbestos Diseases Society of 
Victoria, asbestos victims are angered by James Hardie's attempts 
at the recent NSW Commission to limit access to compensation.

"The last thing people who are attempting to cope with an illness 
want to do is worry about whether or not they have enough money 
for their medical bills", said Ms Staley.

"We urge James Hardie to do the decent thing and bring back the 
money, no strings attached, so that future victims of asbestos 
can have peace of mind.

Mr Hubbard warned: "If James Hardie gets its way with our 
political and judicial system and gets the right to limit 
victims' access to compensation, this will be nothing but a 
reward for corporate thuggery. We must keep up the pressure, and 
I urge all people from all walks of life to support us in this 
campaign."