AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS PRESS RELEASES
Sub-menu: View Latest Releases | List By Date | List By Portfolio | List By Person

Senator Andrew Murray Democrats Senator for Western Australia Australian Democrats spokesperson for Taxation, Finance & Corporate Affairs Yulia Onsman (National Executive)

Dated: 06 August 2004 Portfolio: Taxation, Finance & Corporate Affairs

More from Senator Andrew Murray on Taxation, Finance & Corporate Affairs

Democrats use Dutch links to increase pressure on James Hardie

The Australian Democrats are using their links with The Netherlands Parliament and Government to increase the pressure on James Hardie Industries to meet its obligations to the many workers affected by asbestos. The Democrats have both political and personal links with the Democrats 66 party in the Netherlands Government who, following Australian Democrat requests, have put a question to the Parliament about James Hardie Industries NV registered in the Netherlands. The Democrats have strong links to the Netherlands through a sister party, Democrats 66, who are currently a junior partner in the Coalition that forms Government in the Netherlands. The Democrats' lead Senate candidate in Tasmania, Ms Yulia Onsman, is Dutch born and emigrated to Tasmania as a child. "I have spoken with contacts within the Dutch Democrat party and Senator Bartlett has written to the party asking the Dutch Government to cooperate in every way possible with Australian efforts to ensure James Hardie Industries cannot dodge its responsibilities," Ms Onsman said. "Questions have also been submitted by Boris van der Ham, a Democrat member of Parliament, seeking information as to what action the Dutch Government will take on the matter." Democrats' spokesperson for corporate affairs, Senator Andrew Murray, said his party would explore every avenue to ensure that James Hardie was not able to avoid its obligations. "The Democrats have been heavily involved in examining and improving Corporations law in Australia for many years, successfully moving a range of amendments to improve corporate accountability and responsibility," Senator Murray said. "With a strong record of hard work over many years, we have the credibility and the influence to help deliver improved legal remedies for asbestos victims. Once the current Judicial Inquiry in New South Wales delivers its findings we will have a clearer idea of what legal changes may be needed." "The Australian Democrats will liaise with those unions, corporations, organisations and political parties who are able to help ensure the law fully deals with this matter," Senator Andrew Murray said. "We will give short shrift to anyone else who is just jumping in on a human tragedy for political opportunism. "The real issue with James Hardie is making sure that our Corporations and Insolvency laws are adequate to ensure justice and fair compensation is delivered to those people affected by asbestos. "We will urge the Federal Government to move quickly to strengthen the laws where necessary. "We have to make sure that, in addressing whatever malfeasance James Hardie may be guilty of, that we prevent corporations avoiding responsibilities in the future, while not unnecessarily hampering honest corporations from doing their job of increasing employment and prosperity in the community." Copy of Senator Bartlett's letter and the Question submitted in the Dutch parliament available on request.