Bernie Banton, an asbestosis sufferer and prominent campaigner for fellow victims, has criticised James Hardie Australia for being tardy in finalising asbestos compensation negotiations.

Mr Banton, who was presented with 2005 Australian Lawyers Alliance Civil Justice Award last week in Cairns, says James Hardie is indulging in “corporate immorality” by not finalising a legally binding agreement with the ACTU, Unions NSW and the NSW Government.

Australian Lawyers Alliance President Richard Faulks says Mr Banton “nobly met the award’s aim of acknowledging unsung heroes who, despite personal risk or sacrifice, have fought to preserve individual rights, human dignity or safety”.

“He risked his own health during those negotiations in a bid to fight for justice for all asbestos sufferers and their families,” Mr Faulks said.

In his most recent public statement – August this year – James Hardie CEO Louis Gries reiterated the company’s commitment to achieving a long-term compensation agreement, but is reviewing draft nine of the principal deed, which has introduced issues not raised in previous drafts. Despite this, Mr Gries says the group is still committed to “establishing a compensation arrangement in accordance with the heads of agreement in the shortest possible time”.