Parramatta. Asbestos campaigner honoured

Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has honoured Bernie Banton, who died of mesothelioma, in 2007, after campaigning for many years against James Hardie Industries to secure compensation for those who developed asbestos related illnesses, with the creation of a Centre of Research Excellence, in his name. A $2.5 million National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship will be created for funding research into asbestos related diseases. Earlier this year, Parramatta Council passed a motion to dedicate the bridge in Marsden Street to Mr Banton, who grew up in the area.