Asbestos Reps Call For "Front End" Loader

Unions have submitted a plan to a top-level government review that would streamline compensation claims for asbestos victims.

The move follows the agreement thrashed out between James Hardie and asbestos victims at the end of last year, part of which was a commitment to keep costs associated with claims down.

The proposal would "front end" the process by using an alternative dispute resolution mechanism prior to claims appearing in the NSW Dust Diseases Tribunal, the forum for many asbestos compensation claims.

"The objective is to minimize the issues in dispute," says Stephen Jones from the ACTU, who outlined plans to use mediation, conciliation and independent evaluation in compensation disputes to reduce court time.

Compensation cases can involve disputes over who is and isn't liable, the extent of liability and the amount of loss suffered by victims.

"It will sort out the chaff from the wheat and what issues are in dispute," says Jones. "If the process doesn't resolve the issues at least it will narrow them."

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Unions NSW made their submission to the Review of Legal and Administrative Costs in Dust Disease Compensation Claims being conducted by the NSW Attorney Generals Department and the Cabinet Office.

The review stemmed from a request by parties involved in negotiations surrounding asbestos compensation following the Jackson Inquiry.

Asbestos victims and their representatives had feared that a move to cut legal and administrative costs would also be used to cut compensation.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:35 EST