Exhibit 99.1

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)