Asbestos Legislation

Unions in the Australian state of New South Wales are upset at delays with its asbestos compensation program.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that when the Coalition Government was elected in March, it forced all the members of the state's Dust Diseases Board - which handles asbestos compensation applications - to reapply for their jobs. This reportedly created a delay in compensation for a number of asbestos victims. While the government recently approved the board's membership, certain unions were not happy with the situation.

"The government has moved fast now that there is some public exposure of their failure to make the appointments. It is very good news," Tim Ayers with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union told the news source. "It's unforgivable really. This puts families and dust diseases sufferers in a terrible position."

Ayers said that as many as 80 union members were affected by the delay.

Many blue collar workers struggle with asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer, because the naturally occurring substance was used in many industries as an insulator and flame retardant.