August 15th, 2005

It has been revealed that Tasmania officials and lawmakers are looking into making changes to the current laws relating to asbestos. Officials are hoping to make the changes by the end of the year, and the changes will be aimed at protecting asbestos victims and their families. At present Tasmania is the only state in Australia that does not allow the families of asbestos victims to pursue a claim for pain and suffering after the victim has passed away.

Last year the laws were changed to some degree, enabling more people to pursue asbestos related claims. However, one lawyer states that the current Tasmania laws are still unfair. She stated: "The pain and suffering, which is usually the biggest part of the claim, goes with the person unless a law is made explicitly to change that." With regards to the families of asbestos victims that pass away she added: "Their needs to be a government law passed explicitly to say that in the case of dust diseases, if a claim is lodged prior to the person's death, the claim will survive, that's how it works."

It is hoped that the changes being proposed will make life far easier for the families of these victims, taking away the added stress of being left without any financial security at an already difficult time. Supporters of the changes have stated that the current legislation puts asbestos victims in a race against time as they try and secure their families’ futures before they die. Hopefully, the changes will ease this situation.