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Mass rallies back asbestos victims
Jennifer Dudley
September 16, 2004
MORE than 20,000 workers and victims of asbestos-related diseases rallied across Australia yesterday, demanding James Hardie pay full compensation to victims of its asbestos products.
Rallies were held in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Sydney to coincide with James Hardie's shareholder meeting in Sydney, held days before its annual general meeting in the Netherlands.
Up to 10,000 construction workers downed their tools on construction sites in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
More than 2000 people rallied in Brisbane's Roma Street Forum to hear speeches and wave placards.
Queensland Council of Unions assistant general secretary Chris Barrett said the rally was designed to protest the restructuring of James Hardie, which could leave victims dying from exposure to its asbestos products without legal recourse.
Mr Barrett said James Hardie's decision to move its business offshore in 2001 was designed to avoid paying compensation to victims of asbestos-related diseases. James Hardie donated $293 million to a fund for victims but the figure is estimated to fall over $1 billion short of the money needed.
"The way they've structured the company will leave a shortfall for victims and the rally was to call on James Hardie to do the right thing for the people left with death sentences around Australia," Mr Barrett said.
"There could be up to 60,000 or more victims of asbestos-related diseases to come through over the next 15 years, and those people are entitled to compensation."
Mr Barrett said the company had known the risks of using asbestos in the 1930s, and he urged the Federal Government to reform the Corporations Act so companies could not avoid responsibilities to consumers.
Former building construction supervisor Bill Read addressed the Brisbane rally. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma 13 months ago.
"I did not even pick up a hammer, I did not pick up a tool, I just walked on to the sites when they were using sheeting for internal and external cladding on homes," he said.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer gained from breathing in asbestos dust. It is known to kill victims an average of 153 days after diagnosis.
Mr Read said he was one of the "lucky ones" receiving a new chemotherapy treatment in a hospital trial, but more research funding was needed and the drug treatment was not listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme.
Queensland Asbestos Related Disease Support Society secretary Nick Bos said some members were not well enough to attend the rally but family members were there.
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