Mesothelioma

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.

His wife Karen, brother Bruce, sister Grace and five children have accepted the NSW government’s offer of a state funeral. Mr. Banton was diagnosed in August with peritoneal mesothelioma, an abdominal cancer caused by his exposure to asbestos when he worked for a subsidiary of James Hardie from 1968 to 1974.

He had already been suffering for years from asbestosis, a lung disease also caused by exposure to asbestos. Despite this, he led the campaign to force James Hardie to establish a fund that would provide adequate compensation for all its employees suffering from diseases caused by their exposure to asbestos at its factories.

He was, NSW Premier Morris Iemma said, “He was a truly great Australian, a man who fought for others at a time when he should have been worrying about his own health. In November 2006, on the day we signed the final agreement to secure compensation for Hardie victims (workers in James Hardie factories who contracted diseases caused by asbestos), Bernie knew he’d achieved something special. That deal was worth $1.5 billion over the next 40 years for those who suffered and continue to suffer this dreadful disease. It would not have been possible without Bernie Banton.”

Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd said “He was ‘a fighter’ who was “a symbol, a living symbol of what is right and decent and proper in the workplace relations of this country. Australia is going to be poorer for Bernie’s passing - our whole nation will be poorer for Bernie’s passing,” Mr Rudd said.

In a statement, James Hardie expressed its condolences to the family of Mr Banton, acknowledging his work in raising public awareness of asbestos-related disease. “The company acknowledges the significant contribution Mr Banton made to raising the awareness of asbestos-related diseases in Australia, and his role in the eventual implementation of the final funding agreement to compensate Australians with asbestos-related personal injury claims,” the company said.

NSW parliament rose for a moment’s silence and both sides of politics delivered statements praising him. “Bernie courageously pursued justice for sufferers of asbestos-related diseases and their families, we all owe him a debt of gratitude,” NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca said.

Former ACTU secretary Greg Combet said Mr Banton had been a fighter for other people and a fighter for justice. “I hope that people properly appreciate the importance of the settlement that was reached with James Hardie a few years back, because it was a very hard fight and Bernie contributed a lot,” Mr Combet said. “That’s how he should be recognized.”