Asbestos cynicism (letter)

by M. Gordon

News Weekly, December 22, 2007
Sir,

The number of mourners at the funeral of asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton was a testament to his standing in the community. The death toll from asbestos will continue for many years, not only amongst workers exposed to its manufacture.

While former asbestos producers such as BHP and CSR have done the right thing, James Hardie did not do so till late in the piece.

What was more galling was seeing representatives of the NSW Labor Government ingratiating themselves at Bernie Banton's funeral, when that same Labor Government and Labor-associated lobbyists had assisted Hardie's move to the Netherlands to reduce its legal exposure, and for a favourable tax ruling which it obtained at the great and continuing expense of Australian taxpayers.

The Hardies asbestos episode has been made possible by some of the most cynical political action by a party supposedly concerned for employee interests. It is shameful.

(Mr) M. Gordon,
Flynn, ACT