FILE -- In a Jan. 3, 2012 file photo Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney applauds after addressing a crowd of supporters with his wife Ann and their sons Matt, Josh, Craig and Tagg behind him during a Romney for President Iowa Caucus night rally in Des Moines, Iowa. During what may be the most important week of Mitt Romney's political career, the Republican presidential contender's five sons are sharing family secrets like never before. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
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FILE -- In a Jan. 3, 2012 file photo Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney applauds after addressing a crowd of supporters with his wife Ann and their sons Matt, Josh, Craig and Tagg behind him during a Romney for President Iowa Caucus night rally in Des Moines, Iowa. During what may be the most important week of Mitt Romney's political career, the Republican presidential contender's five sons are sharing family secrets like never before. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
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Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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A lone teddy bear sits on the steps of the home where three children, their uncle, and their grandmother were found dead inside a garage Monday in what appears to be a murder-suicide amid a custody dispute in Toledo, Ohio, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
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A lone teddy bear sits on the steps of the home in Toledo, Ohio, Tuesday Nov. 13, 2012. Three children, their uncle, and their grandmother were found dead inside a garage at the house Monday in what appears to be a murder-suicide amid a custody dispute. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
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Police are appealing for witnesses to help them track down the 77-year-old man's attackers.
$1.3m payout for man with asbestos disease
A New South Wales man with an asbestos-related disease has been awarded $1.3 million in damages, partly because of his reduced capacity to care for his grandchildren.
The Dust Diseases Tribunal has awarded the money to Mario Perez, who worked as a bus depot labourer at Chullora in Sydney's west from the 1970s until 1990.
The 68-year-old was exposed to asbestos from gaskets in bus engines and pipes and when a roof was removed in 1987.
The tribunal heard he has mesothelioma that has spread to his spine, and until his illness spent up to three days a week caring for his family.
Law firm Maurice Blackburn argued the care he provided for his grandchildren during his retirement and also for his wife needed to be taken into account in determining his payout.
Tribunal acting president Judge Jim Curtis found that under the Civil Liability Act 2002, Mr Perez should be entitled to damages in relation to his lost capacity to provide future domestic services to his family.
Theodora Ahilas, principal in Maurice Blackburn's asbestos law department, welcomed the tribunal's decision.
"We live in a world where grandparents are often very involved in caring for grandchildren and we are very pleased this has been recognised in this judgment," she said.
"Mr Perez was also the sole carer of his wife, who has suffered from a debilitating cardiac condition since contracting rheumatic fever as an adolescent.
"Mr Perez also cared for his son's infant twins on week days and his two granddaughters while their mother worked shift work.
"Understandably, Mr Perez will no longer be capable of providing these invaluable services to his family as his disease progresses and his condition deteriorates."
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