10th March 2021
The federal government has agreed to set up an $8mil fund to assist Mr Fluffy victims. The ACT government will manage the scheme and it is likely they will also match the federal’s contribution, with details to be announced in coming weeks.
It is thought that such a scheme has not been set up yet due to how long it can take for asbestos related diseases to manifest. When the Mr Fluffy buy back scheme occurred in 2014 the health department reported no increase by population of mesothelioma caused by loose fill asbestos. With first cases of mesothelioma caused by loose fill asbestos only being reported within the last 2 years.
But the victims have been calling for this scheme for about a year now, and despite families lobbying for it, it has been a slow process. This is mostly because there have been disagreements on who the financial onus should fall upon. Under normal circumstances, it would be the ACT Governments responsibility. However, the ACT Government was not formed until 1989, 20 years after the federal government was alerted to the dangers of loose fill asbestos and 10 years after Mr Fluffy ceased use. Therefore, it could be stated that the ACT government played no part in the issue. When first contacted regarding compensation for Mr Fluffy victims, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s initial reaction to say that it was solely the territories responsibility. But due to increased lobbying from victims’ families and ACT Senator Zed Seselja, Mr Hunt began actively pursuing a new scheme.
While the full details of the scheme will be announced in the coming weeks, Mr Barr has stated that it would exist to support individuals who may contract mesothelioma due to exposure to Mr Fluffy, this support would include medical expenses and loss of income as a result of the disease. It is also hoped that the emphasis will be on simplicity of access and speed, due to the rapid nature of the disease.
Unfortunately, Mr James Wallner, who led the campaign for the new scheme, will never see it in action. Mr Wallner passed away on Friday 7th May less than a year after being diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, and just days after the new compensation scheme was announced.
Sources:
James Wallner dies days after after Mr Fluffy home compensation scheme announced