Bernie Banton. Short for Bernard Douglas Banton. He was a widely-recognised face of the political and legal campaign to achieve compensation for victims of asbestos-related illnesses, which they developed following a lengthy profession with a corporation called James Hardie Industries Ltd. However, all this did come at a very dangerous price, a price he did not desire. James Hardie is the CEO of James Hardie Industries Ltd …show more content…
An employee’s wife was seeking compensation due to the many deaths in her family that were caused from asbestos-related diseases. Her name was Winnifred Brennan, for many years she continuously washed her husband’s work clothes that were covered in dust fibres of asbestos. Unfortunately her husband, including five or her nine children past away from cancer. She received $374000 in compensation. This shows the amount of individuals who came forward with their asbestos cases seeking to claim compensation.
November 24th 2007. Kevin Rudd was elected as prime minister and during his victory speech he paid special tribute to Banton whom, in Kevin Rudd’s own words, conveyed the “Great Australia Trade Union Movement”.
Sadly, only a few days after the election on the 27th of November 2007, Bernie Banton upsettingly passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family. Banton was a great inspiration to not only all individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases, but also people worldwide. His campaign changed the lives of various people and did not give up until justice was served. Fighting for not only his rights but for the rights of every other individual in the world, Bernie Banton can be identified as a true