ID :
148091
Sat, 10/30/2010 - 17:23
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/148091
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CSR has asbestos obligations: Swan
Sydne October 30 (aap) - Australian company CSR must honour its legal obligations to compensate victims of
asbestos-related illness, says Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan.
The Sydney-based firm agreed to sell its sugar and renewable energy division,
Sucrogen, to Singapore agribusiness Wilmar International in a $1.75 billion deal
first announced in July.
It sparked concerns that former workers and their families may no longer get payouts
for asbestos-related illness if the deal, which is subject to Commonwealth approval,
goes ahead.
The NSW government has written three times to the federal government seeking
assurances the proposed sale would not affect payouts.
Mr Swan responded on Saturday, saying CSR had clear obligations.
"Those are issues clearly for CSR, they have very clear obligations under the law to
asbestos victims," he told reporters in Townsville.
"They should carry those out to the full letter of their responsibility."
He would not speculate whether the sale would be given the green light by the
federal government, saying a final decision was yet to be made.
NSW Treasurer John Hatzistergos revealed he had written twice to Mr Swan seeking
assurances about the compensation.
Premier Kristina Keneally has also written to Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
"The federal government must consider what will happen to the proceeds of the sale and ensure that asbestos victims do not suffer," Mr Hatzistergos said in a statement.
The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) said it believes compensation will continue to be paid by CSR.
"Sucrogen was a very profitable part of the company (CSR) and the fact it was being sold has raised some doubts," ADFA president Barry Robson told AAP.
"But we've been reassured right the way along that the remaining part of CSR will remain viable.
"We're confident there shouldn't be a problem." Karen Banton, CEO of the Bernie Banton Foundation, a support group for those affected by asbestos-related diseases, welcomed the state government's lobbying.
"Victims deserve certainty about their future compensation payments and I look forward to a response from the prime minister that ensures this will happen," Ms Banton said.
asbestos-related illness, says Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan.
The Sydney-based firm agreed to sell its sugar and renewable energy division,
Sucrogen, to Singapore agribusiness Wilmar International in a $1.75 billion deal
first announced in July.
It sparked concerns that former workers and their families may no longer get payouts
for asbestos-related illness if the deal, which is subject to Commonwealth approval,
goes ahead.
The NSW government has written three times to the federal government seeking
assurances the proposed sale would not affect payouts.
Mr Swan responded on Saturday, saying CSR had clear obligations.
"Those are issues clearly for CSR, they have very clear obligations under the law to
asbestos victims," he told reporters in Townsville.
"They should carry those out to the full letter of their responsibility."
He would not speculate whether the sale would be given the green light by the
federal government, saying a final decision was yet to be made.
NSW Treasurer John Hatzistergos revealed he had written twice to Mr Swan seeking
assurances about the compensation.
Premier Kristina Keneally has also written to Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
"The federal government must consider what will happen to the proceeds of the sale and ensure that asbestos victims do not suffer," Mr Hatzistergos said in a statement.
The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) said it believes compensation will continue to be paid by CSR.
"Sucrogen was a very profitable part of the company (CSR) and the fact it was being sold has raised some doubts," ADFA president Barry Robson told AAP.
"But we've been reassured right the way along that the remaining part of CSR will remain viable.
"We're confident there shouldn't be a problem." Karen Banton, CEO of the Bernie Banton Foundation, a support group for those affected by asbestos-related diseases, welcomed the state government's lobbying.
"Victims deserve certainty about their future compensation payments and I look forward to a response from the prime minister that ensures this will happen," Ms Banton said.
