Of course the Liberals really truly do care about workers dying because of unsafe work conditions. Here’s what Tony Abbott said about Bernie Banton, a national hero in his fight for compensation for those killed by asbestos and himself then dying of mesothelioma, contracted at work. From the Sydney Morning Herald of 31 October 2007.

‘Mr Banton, who is wheelchair-bound and dying of the disease, got off his sick bed to make the journey across Sydney yesterday but Mr Abbott left before the protesters arrived. Last night the minister told Channel Nine: “Look, it was a stunt, let’s be upfront about this. I know Bernie is very sick but just because a person is sick doesn’t mean that he is necessarily pure of heart in all things.”

‘But last night Mr Banton returned fire at the minister. “What a flea,” he told the Herald. “What a gutless human being. He wasn’t game enough to front up and face the very people his Government is denying treatment to.”’

John Passant

Tough Choice: National Hero Bernie Banton Or Tony Abbott?