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May 11th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda Asbestos victims and their families are calling for public rallies to protest against a NSW government decision that could mean less money for women widowed by asbestos disease.
In rejecting the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) on Friday, the government said the proposed changes would breach an agreement that compels James Hardie to compensate asbestos victims.
Under the agreement, the NSW government promised it would not legislate to increase or decrease damages for dust diseases.
Barry Robson, president of the Asbestos Disease Foundation of Australia, called for unions to mobilise “anti-government forces” for a public campaign that could include rallies outside parliament.
“We’re really pissed off about this,” Mr Robson told AAP.
“The gutless wonders should be fighting for widows.”
Unions NSW also condemned the decision.
Secretary Mark Lennon said the spouses of asbestos victims would suffer significant financial disadvantage.
The proposed changes would have allowed families of victims to launch a case for damages up to 12 months after the death of their relative, the opposition said.
KPMG estimated implementing the recommendations would increase the potential liabilities of the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund by between $23.4 million and $182.3 million.
The opposition branded the decision “callous”.
“It takes an incredibly callous and uncaring government to refuse to support asbestos victims and the families they are forced to leave behind,” Opposition Leader John Robertson said in a statement.
The widow of asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton, Karen, told AAP the situation was “extremely disappointing”.
“Often filing a claim is the last thing sufferers and their families want to contemplate,” she said.
“They can’t stomach the thought of going down the legal path when they’re (dealing) with this diagnosis.”
The Australian Manufacturers and Workers Union said the O’Farrell government cared more about lining its coffers than supporting the families of asbestos victims.
“Taking money from innocent victims is as low as it gets,” national secretary Paul Bastian said in a statement.
“Other states are showing a bit of heart and compensating the dependents of those killed from exposure to asbestos. Why can’t NSW step up to the plate?”
The law has already been reformed in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith said he regretted the disappointment the decision had caused.
“The government needs to consider the importance long-term of providing certainty of continued compensation to all asbestos victims,” he said.
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