March 9th, 2005

Aussie building products manufacturer, James Hardie, spent the majority of last year in the papers due to the problems with paying out to people that had contracted a deadly form of cancer, mesothelioma, and other asbestos related diseases from exposure to James Hardie products that contained the substance but gave no sufficient warning about the dangers of the substance.

Many affected people fought tooth and nail for compensation, and James Hardie seemed to be reeling off one excuse after another, or so it seemed to those waiting for compensation. The frustration and anger of victims and their families became evident as pickets and lobbying occurred outside the company headquarters. And even the councils joined the fight, placing a ban on the use of James Hardie products until the matter was resolved.

James Hardie has stated that an agreement has now been signed with the ACTU and the New South Wales Government with regards to making payouts to victims. James Hardie has stated that these agreements demonstrate the company’s commitment to making the compensation payouts, and has appealed to council to life the ban on the use of its products.

So far, James Hardie has contacted over 140 councils appealing for the life on the ban. Some of the councils have agreed to lift the ban, and others are not prepared to do so until compensation payouts have progressed further. James Hardie has received a very mixed reaction from councils so far, with some council still not convinced about the company’s intentions.