Don't Let Me Die In Vain, Mother's plea to politicans

A DYING mother of nine-year-old triplets is pleading with the state's MPs to pass legislation this week so that her children and others can receive compensation.Asbestos victim Melissa Haylock's only wish before she dies is to know her children will be looked after when she's gone.
But time is running out for Mrs Haylock, 42, of Lockleys, because there are only four parliamentary sitting days left to get the Dust Diseases Bill through.
If passed, the Bill would allow Mrs Haylock's triplets access to damages for the loss of their mother, who has the deadly asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma.
If it doesn't, Parliament will rise on Thursday and is not due to sit until after the March state election.
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Experts say Mrs Haylock, diagnosed with mesothelioma 11 months ago, is lucky to still be alive.
"This is about my children and others in similar situations. It's not about the money," Mrs Haylock said yesterday.
Mrs Haylock, who was exposed to asbestos as a child when her father was carrying out home renovations, said she hoped to defy statistics, but also had to be prepared for reality.
"I pray I will live longer . . . but if I die next year, my children will be 10. What will happen to my kids?"
Mrs Haylock has a compensation claim for damages in the Supreme Court but, unless the law is changed, her children will not be compensated for losing their mother.
She said all she wanted was to know was that her children - Imogen, Molly and Ethan - would be cared for without her.
Her husband, Garry, 45, is a fireman and often works nightshifts.
As well as allowing children to be compensated under their parents' claims, the Bill, introduced by No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon, would also fast-track claims and bring damages payouts in SA in line with other states. Victims in SA can receive as little as half the damages payouts of victims in other states.
The Government and Opposition have both expressed support for the "principle" of the Bill, but are yet to finalise their positions.
Asbestos Victims Association SA secretary Terry Miller echoed calls for the Bill to be passed urgently.
"One of the big things that (mesothelioma sufferers) tell me is that they really want a claim settled so they can know their family will be looked after. It's really not too much to ask, is it?" he said.