The Wire

30 years ago the children of Baryulgil in northern NSW, played in tailings from the local asbestos mine, owned by the notorious James Hardie company. The predominantly aboriginal residents of Baryulgil are already feeling its devastating effects, but now it appears they may be left out of the multi-million dollar compensation payouts being offered by the company. Because the local mine was owned by a Hardie subsidiary, it’s been reveled that Hardie may not be held responsible. There are also doubts about compensation for local residents, who were not employees of the company. Speaking on the issue is Scott Monahan president of the Grafton Aboriginal Medical Service He says the whole community needs to be considered in any legal settlement. In developments as the story went to air, James Hardie denied the reports, saying residents of Baryulgil, will be covered by a special fund. The exact nature of this compensation and the groups of people who will be covered remains to be seen.