Commonwealth takes first steps towards new compensation fund for asbestos victims

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has written to the friends and family of a Canberra mesothelioma sufferer who grew up in a “Mr Fluffy” house, saying federal bureaucrats were actively investigating a new fund for compensation.

Last year veterinary scientist James Wallner, 54, was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma – a disease only caused by exposure to asbestos.

But while most Australian asbestos victims were exposed while working in the…