Asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton has died aged 61.
Banton was the public face of the campaign to win justice for victims of asbestos manufacturer James Hardie.
He rose to national prominence during the NSW Special Commission into James Hardie as a passionate advocate for victims and their families.
The Jackson report found that management at James Hardie had transferred asbestos liabilities from their parent company to under-funded subsidiaries, in an attempt to limit the future compensation claims of asbestos victims.
Following the release of the report in 2004, then Premier Bob Carr appointed Banton and ACTU Secretary Greg Combet to negotiate a settlement with the building products manufacturer.
It was a long and gruelling task that took nearly three years to finalise. The end result is a $4 billion fund to operate over forty years to provide compensation to asbestos victims and their families.
“Bernie has been there every day and has lent to this entire process a decency and humanity that was sorely needed,” Combet said once the job was completed.
CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones, who formed part of the ACTU legal team supporting the negotiators paid tribute to the indefatigable campaigner.
“Bernie Banton was a great Australian, and a great friend. I miss him very much. The only good thing to say is that he is no longer suffering and his legacy will live on for all asbestos victims.”
As Vice President of the Asbestos Diseases Federation of Australia since 2002, Banton was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2005 for services to the community.
Born 1946, Bernie Banton had worked at the James Hardie factor in Camellia from 1968 to 1974 and subsequently diagnosed with an asbestos related pleural disease in 2000.
In August he was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, an aggressive form of stomach cancer.
He passed away at home early in the morning, surrounded by wife Karen and family.
Bernie Banton's family have accepted the NSW Governments offer of a state funeral. If you would like to leave a message of condolence here, we will pass it on to Karen and the family.
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