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Hardie head's hilltop hideout
NICK PAPPS in Los Angeles
26sep04

THIS is the $6 million home where James Hardie boss Peter Macdonald has been hiding from the world.

The hilltop mansion boasts ocean views, a pool, spa, five fireplaces, four bathrooms, designer kitchen, a sunlit loft, large indoor and outdoor entertainment areas and satellite television throughout.

The home is part of a millionaires' row in a high-security gated community in the exclusive suburb of Laguna Niguel, south of Los Angeles.

All the estates in Mr Macdonald's street are built on one side of the road to afford the best view of California's Laguna Beach.

The day The Sunday Mail visited Mr Macdonald's home, an automatic cleaning machine was working its way around his pool, new outdoor furniture was ready for the weekend, an outdoor gas heater was in place for evening entertaining and a spa sparkled in the sun.

Upstairs, closed windows and reflective glass protected the Macdonalds from outside eyes, with a half-open – and then rapidly shut – door the only sign of life.

For several days since the Jackson report slammed James Hardie and Mr Macdonald's conduct over its underfunded asbestos compensation fund, the chief executive has shuffled between this house and James Hardie headquarters in nearby Mission Viejo.

He has refused to talk about claims he made "misleading and deceptive" statements about the fund, or calls for his resignation.

Mr Macdonald has been paid about $16 million in five years, while asbestos victims were fighting for compensation. He earned $4.43 million this year

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