[Greens-Media] Call for Councils to maintain James Hardie Boycotts

[Kristian Bolwell]

MEDIA RELEASE
29 March 2005

Call for Councils to maintain James Hardie Boycotts

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has urged Local Government Councils across NSW
to maintain their boycott of James Hardie industries in light of reports
that the conglomerate has delayed the payment of its much trumpeted
compensation package.

"James Hardie should have handed over this money long ago, so to
delay the payment of its compensation is simply unacceptable", Lee
Rhiannon said. 

"Local Councils can keep the pressure on James Hardie by maintaining
their boycotts of James Hardie products. 

"Boycotts of James Hardie products should only be lifted when James
Hardie delivers compensation.

"James Hardie should pay additional interest for its latest delay-
it's the least they could do. 

"The public was right to think that this disgraceful saga was all
taken care of last year.

 "But now we see reports that Hardie is refusing to pay up the entire
compensation package until the completion of an internal review into
whether it's liable to pay for the hundreds of residents and mine
workers from the town of Baryulgil in Northern NSW.- a mine reportedly
owned by James Hardie. 

"Is this yet another example of James Hardie attempting to avoids its
responsibilities?" Ms Rhiannon queried. 

"Nothing should stop James Hardie from paying the vast bulk of its
compensation package today, Ms Rhiannon said. 

More information:  Kristian Bolwell, 9230 3551, 0411638320