Bernie Banton spent most of his life finding ways of helping those who had been diagnosed with Mesothelioma due to their work enviroment by campaigning against James Hardie (asbestos company). We are sad to say that he has died at the age of 61 at his home in Sydney with his family by his side.
Mr. Banton is a long standing campaigner for the drug Alimta to be listed on the government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This week he received news that they would be taking his recommendation and – something he was very excited to hear about.
Mr Abbott said a re-elected coalition government hoped to have Alimta on the PBS in January. Labor has also supported the drug’s listing. Alimta became a campaign issue last week when Mr Abbott apologised after Mr Banton tried to present a 17,000-signature Alimta petition at the minister’s Sydney electoral office.