asbestos

Yesterday I joined the unions and the victims of James Hardie out the front of the Westin Hotel. We were protesting in front of the informaton session for Australian shareholders of the company.

The protesters were drawing attention yet again to the failure of James Hardie to provide compensation to the thousands of vicitms of asbestos. ADFA were requesting two simple things:

1. That the Board not increase payments and share options for Baord members until there is a legally binding guarantee on compensation to victims
2. That an appointment be made to the Hardies Board from among Hardie's victims.

This morning I am privileged to be speaking on the same stage as Bernie Banton AM, asbestos disease warrior, at the NSW Cancer Council’s Consumer Advocacy Conference.

Bernie is there to give tips to consumer advocates (people affected by cancer) on how to get politicians of all persuasions to listen, understand and take action on cancer related health issues.

As the face of the James Hardie campaign waged by victims of asbestos disease, their families and their unions, Bernie knows a thing or two about the power of personal stories and experiences to get action from multinational companies and governments.