 The foundation was named after Bernard Douglas (Bernie) Banton AM, an Australian social justice campaigner.Bernie rose to national prominence through being the face of the legal and political campaign to secure compensation for the many victims of asbestos-related conditions, which they contracted after either working for the company James Hardie or being exposed to James Hardie Industries' products.Bernie himself suffered from asbestosis, Asbestos Related Pleural Disease (ARPD) and then finally peritoneal mesothelioma.