''Devil's Dust'' is a two-part Australian television
docu-drama
Docudrama (or documentary drama) is a genre of television and film, which features dramatized re-enactments of actual events. It is described as a hybrid of documentary and drama and "a fact-based representation of real event".
Docudramas typi ...
mini-series on the
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
which first screened in 2012. Based on journalist
Matt Peacock's 2009 book ''
Killer Company'', ''Devil's Dust'' was researched and developed by producer
Stephen Corvini for over two years prior to the series' production. Through the factual case of
Bernie Banton, it recounts the tragedy of many Australian workers and their families afflicted with
asbestosis
Asbestosis is long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Complications may include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pulmonary heart d ...
and
mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). The most common area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. Less commonly the lining ...
in the twentieth-century asbestos mining and processing industries. Though the extreme health risks of exposure to asbestos dust had been documented for many years, manufacturer
James Hardie persisted in large-scale use of the material, aided by inadequate regulation by state health agencies.
Main cast
*
Anthony Hayes as
Bernie Banton
*
Don Hany as Adam Bourke
*
Ewen Leslie
Ewen Leslie (born 27 July 1980) is an Australian stage, film and television actor.
Career Theatre
His first work on Sydney stages was performing at the Old Fitzroy Hotel theatre in Woolloomooloo. In 2007 he was cast by Philip Seymour Hoffma ...
as
Matt Peacock
*
Alexandra Schepisi
Alexandra Schepisi ( ) is an Australian actress.
Early life
Schepisi was born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is the daughter of filmmaker Fred Schepisi and Australian Casting director Rhonda (nee Finlayson) Schepisi]. She ob ...
as
Karen Banton
*
Josef Ber
Josef Ber is an Australian actor, director and writer, best known for his role as Sergeant Dominic Wales in the television series '' Rush''.
Early life
Ber grew up in Sydney Australia. He went to school at Marayong Heights Public School, Lorien ...
as Ted Banton
*
Daniel Henshall as Jock
*
Greg Stone
Gregory "Greg" Jonathon Stone (born 23 June 1961 in Perth, Western Australia) is an Australian actor who has appeared in films, television and on stage.
Early life
Stone was born in Perth, Western Australia to parents Roy and Jennifer Stone ...
as Peter McDonald
*Genevieve Hegney as Tanya Segelov
Timeline
Timeline of key events from the ''Devil's Dust'' TV program:
*2004: James Hardie (JH) CEO Peter MacDonald resigns, with a resignation payment of $9 million.
*2006: Bernie Banton, AM, is given the keys to Parramatta City.
*February 2007: ASIC files court proceedings against the JH board as it "failed to act with requisite care and diligence" when they assured investors that the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation (MRCF) was fully funded.
*February 2007: JH shareholders, overwhelmingly approve a "compensation deal for asbestos victims worth $4 billion over the next 40 years".
Meredith Hellicar, Chairwoman, resigns.
*August 2007: Oncologist Professor Stephen Clarke diagnoses Banton with "peritoneal mesothelioma", which is usually fatal within six months. Bernie files a new suit of exemplary damages against a former JH subsidiary now part of the new Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund. Judge John O’Meally (President of the Dust Diseases Tribunal) rules in favour of Banton, but the fund contests the judgement.
*November 2007: Gravely ill, Banton gives court evidence from his bed at Concord Hospital, Sydney. JH make an offer of settlement. Compensation for Banton's "terminal mesothelioma is from the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund, the trust he fought to set up in 2004". Banton dies at home (on 27 November) aged 61 surrounded by his family and close friends.
*September 2009: Journalist Matt Peacock releases his book ''
Killer Company''.
*May 2012: The High Court of Australia finds that seven directors of the JH "breached their duties by approving the company’s release of a misleading statement to the stock exchange that the MRCF was fully funded".
References
External links
Official website*
{{EquityAward TVMiniSeriesTeleMovieCast 2010–2019
Australian drama television series
Mesothelioma
2012 in Australian television
Asbestos disasters