Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia: Asbestos Victims Travel from Australia, UK & Europe to Protest at James Hardie AGM in Amsterdam

SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 13 -- Asbestos victims from as far away as Australia will protest at James Hardies' AGM. Asbestos victims' support groups from the UK and Europe will join them. A Special Commission in Australia has found that James Hardie, the largest manufacturer of asbestos products in Australia has short changed the Foundation it set up to compensate its victims, by as much as $2 billion.
The Commission revealed scandalous conduct and senior executives could face criminal charges. Hardies has quarantined its assets from its Foundation and the CEO has said the company has no moral or legal duty to victims.

In Australia more than 600 people died last year of asbestos related illness. By 2020 it is estimated more than 53000 people will have asbestos disease, 15000 of them will die from the cancer mesothelioma. Asbestos disease can take more than 30 years to develop.

Ella Sweeney from the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, a victim of asbestos disease herself, will be at the meeting. "James Hardies restructured its companies and moved to the Netherlands leaving victims facing a bleak future," explains Ella Sweeney.

With her will be Paul Bastian, Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union in New South Wales, Australia.

They are asking Hardie's Chair, Meredith Hellicar, directors and shareholders to vote according to their consciences.

Victims are demanding full funding for compensation for all current and future victims and Hardie's reveal details of its proposal for a statutory scheme to replace the current common law system. Paul Bastian says, "we believe their scheme will deny victims fair compensation."

There's no reference to Hardie's huge insurance policies. "Why should Hardie's insurers be allowed to collect premiums and not cover their liabilities? It's a windfall for Hardies and their insurers," says Bastian.

"Hardies is not the victim. We are," says Mrs Sweeny. "Hardie's products killed people. Hardies should pay."

JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES N.V.
AGM
Meeting Rooms 4 and 5, Courtyard by Marriott, Amsterdam Airport,
Kruisweg 1401, 2131 MD Hoofddrop, Netherlands
Friday 17 September 2004 9am, Central Europe Time (CET)

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Source: Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia