Exhibit 99.1
(AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE LOGO)
MARKET RELEASE
20 March 2006
James Hardie Industries N.V
TRADING HALT
      
The securities of James Hardie Industries N.V (the “Company”) will be placed in pre-open ar the request of the Company, pending the release of an announcement by the Company. Unless ASX decides otherwise, the securities will remain in pre-open until the earlier of the commencement of normal trading on Wednesday, 22 March 2006 or when the announcement is released to the market.
Security Code:          JHX




Stephen Small
Assistant Adviser. Issuers (Svdnev)