PM to Meet Asbestos Victim

Article Added July 24th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

The saga for asbestos victims in Australia continues, as one victim meets with the Prime Minister. Bernie Banton is hoping that, by meeting with the PM, the issues of the Hardie Fund may be resolved.

The Hardie Fund has a most unusual new champion; an asbestos victim exposed after working for Hardie Inc. Bernie Banton is meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia this week in order to try to convince the PM that the fund should be tax-free. James Hardie, owner of Hardie Inc., has stated that if the fund is not granted tax-free status akin to charities, that the company would not pay. Lawyers have said that the move would not be legal, but victims worry that the new development would delay payouts critical to asbestos victims.

Banton hopes that by personally appealing to the PM as one of the asbestos victims, the Minister will reverse the judgment and allow the fund to be set up tax-free. This would move the fund along and allow those suffering from asbestos-related diseases to receive funds that could ease their suffering. Banton plans to tell the PM that the victims have waited long enough and the fund should pass for the sake of the victims involved.

Article Added July 24th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story