''Devil's Dust'' is a two-part Australian television docu-drama mini-series on the ABC which first screened in 2012. Based on journalist

Matt Peacock Matt Peacock is an Australian journalist and author who has worked for Australia's ''ABC News'' in television and radio since 1973,Dan Harrison,ABC elects staffer Peacock as director, ''Sydney Morning Herald'' (22 April 2013). authoring a criti ...

's 2009 book '' Killer Company'', ''Devil's Dust'' was researched and developed by producer

Stephen Corvini Stephen or Steven is a common English first name. It is particularly significant to Christians, as it belonged to Saint Stephen ( grc-gre, Στέφανος ), an early disciple and deacon who, according to the Book of Acts, was stoned to deat ...

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 and mesothelioma 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 James Hardie Industries plc is a global building materials company and the largest global manufacturer of fibre cement products. Headquartered in Ireland, it is a dual-listed company, being listed on the Australian and New York Stock Exchanges. ...

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 Don Hany (born 18 September 1975) is an Australian actor. He is best known for his role in the series '' White Collar Blue'', Dr. Chris Havel in ''Offspring'', and the leading role of Zane Malik in the SBS series '' East West 101''. He is als ...

as Adam Bourke * Ewen Leslie as

* Alexandra Schepisi as Karen Banton * Josef Ber as Ted Banton * Daniel Henshall as Jock * Greg 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