10 Facts About Bernie Banton

Bernard Douglas Banton AM was an Australian builder and, later, social justice campaigner for asbestos-related diseases.

Bernie Banton was the widely recognised face of the legal and political campaign to achieve compensation for the many sufferers of asbestos-related conditions, which they contracted after either working for the company James Hardie or being exposed to James Hardie Industries' products.

Bernie Banton himself suffered from multiple forms of asbestos-related diseases, being diagnosed with asbestosis and asbestos-related pleural disease in January 1999 after having worked at James Hardie Industries, decades earlier, making asbestos lagging.

The 2009 book Killer Company details Bernie Banton's fight against James Hardie.

Bernie Banton brought an action against Amaca Pty Ltd before the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales.

Bernie Banton attempted to personally present Minister for Health Tony Abbott, [later the 28th Prime Minister of Australia] with a petition to include a drug for treating malignant mesothelioma on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

When Minister Abbott was not in attendance at his Manly, NSW electoral office, Bernie Banton called him "a gutless creep".

Minister Abbott apologised personally to Bernie Banton the following morning with Bernie Banton offering his own apology in return.

Bernie Banton's family accepted the NSW government's offer of a state funeral, which was held on 5 December 2007.

The Bernie Banton Foundation was an Australian not-for-profit organisation devoted to asbestos awareness and education, support and patient advocacy on behalf of asbestos-related disease sufferers, their carers and loved ones.