Thursday, 6 September, 2007

Friends of the Earth

Today Sydney University students, staff and community members will show their opposition to the proposed Institute of Nuclear Science, marked for a major role in the US-Australia nuclear deal announced last night.

Holly Creenaune of Friends of the Earth Sydney says "the US-Australia nuclear deal seeks to turn Australian universities into research and training grounds for a dangerous and unsustainable industry."

"Australia's status in GNEP as a major nuclear fuel supplier will lead to significant pressure to store international waste in the proposed Northern Territory nuclear waste dump.  Despite the Prime Minister's claim, the Federal Council of the Liberal Party passed a motion in June explicitly supporting an international waste dump in Australia."

Olivia Nigro of the Australian Student Environment Network says "Sydney University students do not want to see their university be part of Howard's aggressive nuclear push.  The Institute for Nuclear Science will be first since the closure of Australia's sole remaining School of Nuclear Engineering in the 1980s.  Twenty years on, there is still no support for Howard's nuclear agenda at Sydney University or across the Australian community."

Wenny Theresia of the Sydney Nuclear Free Coalition says "Nuclear power is no solution to climate change – it is too expensive, too dangerous and cannot provide the deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions we need now.
 
"Friends of the Earth Sydney, Sydney Nuclear Free Coalition and the Australian Student Environment Network are planning strong contingents demanding real action on climate change and a nuclear-free future at this Saturday's APEC rally."

12 midday, Thursday, September 6th
Fisher Library, Sydney University

Speakers include Isobelle Coe - Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Matt Howard - Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Michael Thompson - President of the National Tertiary Education Union.