Thursday, 8 November, 2007

Anti-nuclear Alliance (WA)

On the eve of a visit to the failed Lucas Heights research reactor by a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) the Anti Nuclear Alliance of WA today called on Science Minister Julie Bishop to account for the $400 million white elephant.  

An action by community campaigners and politicians will be held at the Lucas Heights reactor tomorrow to coincide with the visit from delegates to the International Conference on Research Reactors: Safe Management and Effective Utilisation. 

“I would not call a research reactor being shut down for months on end an effective utilization of very much at all, let alone of $400 million in tax payer’s money,” said ANAWA spokesperson Jo Vallentine. 

“It is remarkable in this election campaign, after having Howard talking up nuclear for a year, it has gone deathly silent.  We are calling on Howard and the minister responsible, Julie Bishop, to explain how they can possibly be advocating for 25 nuclear reactors along the coastline when they can’t get one small research reactor working?” continued David Worth, another spokesperson for ANAWA. 

ANAWA have written an open letter to Julie Bishop to encourage her to put on record her involvement in Australia’s nuclear cycle for the electorate to judge. 

Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear campaigner, Dave Sweeney said earlier this week, “This is a major embarrassment to the Government and a setback to the credibility of ANSTO and Ziggy Switkowski, the former hand picked head of the PM’s pro-nuclear review and advocate of 25 nuclear reactors for Australia by 2050.”   

“This should be an election issue that is debated in the open.  The Howard government has plans for the full scale nuclearisation of Australia and we haven’t heard a word about it.  The impacts on our communities could be immense,” concluded Ms Vallentine.