LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: The fight for justice on behalf of up to 20,000 Australians who've died or suffered from asbestos-related diseases has dragged on for decades. Today, the former directors of asbestos maker James Hardie had a win when the New South Wales Court of Appeal reduced the penalties imposed on them in May. The directors had been struck out for approving a false statement to the Stock Exchange, claiming the foundation set up to compensate victims was fully funded when in fact it was underfunded by more than $1 billion. Today they had their corporate disqualification substantially reduced. It was a bitter disappointment for asbestos campaigners like Karen Banton, wife of the late Bernie Banton, who died in 2007 of mesothelioma. She joined me from her Sydney home just before the program.

Karen Banton, what's your reaction to the news that James Hardie directors have had their penalties reduced?

KAREN BANTON, ASBESTOS CAMPAIGNER: I'm incredibly disappointed.

LEIGH SALES: The penalties they've received are still substantial though; $25,000 fines, they've been disqualified from managing companies for more than two years. Why do you not consider that to be enough?

KAREN BANTON: Look, it was only ever a slap on the wrist anyway, even when it was five years. It really defies belief. But I wonder what company here in Australia would want to employ a director who has on their CV that they signed off on a press release to the Australian Stock Exchange that was misleading?

LEIGH SALES: What would it take for victims of the James Hardie tragedy to feel that justice had been done?

KAREN BANTON: Oh, that's a very leading question. I don't know that I should answer that one. But I'll leave it to your imagination that no-one in this company or past directors have been held to account and I think a lot of people would like to see some jail time involved.

LEIGH SALES: If you had one message to those former James Hardie directors who can possibly find themselves back in work next year, what would you say to them?

KAREN BANTON: "Take a good look at your selves in the mirror and stop being in denial that what you did was OK. It was morally wrong. And it is time that some acknowledgement of that in the form of a sorry should be given."

LEIGH SALES: Do you keep in touch with asbestos campaigners and do you feel that there remains work to be done broadly in that area?

KAREN BANTON: Yes, look, through the Bernie Banton Foundation I'm very involved with lobbying and of course supporting sufferers and their families and raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos. It's a problem that's not gonna go away anytime soon, if ever. It'll go beyond my lifetime. And it's not just the workers that have been affected by this company and other companies like them. It is people that go doing a simple DIY renovation or as simple as putting a towel rail into old bathroom towelling might - an old bathroom tiling could give them a terrible sickness and death down the track.

LEIGH SALES: Karen this issue's been in the spotlight again in recent days because of the broadcast of a telemovie built around your husband Bernie Banton's battle. Did you watch it and what did you think?

KAREN BANTON: Yes, I was privileged to see it with the cast and crew pre-screening and it's very emotionally moving for me. Even again last night seeing it, it reduced me to tears. It brings back of course lots of memories. This has really been going on for over a decade now and it has changed my life I guess forever and I willingly choose to remain involved because there's so many more people out there who need to be helped and people that haven't been exposed yet that may find they have a problem with this terrible tragedy.

LEIGH SALES: Karen Banton, thank you very much for making time to speak to us tonight.

KAREN BANTON: You're most welcome, Leigh.