Thursday 14 July 2005
ABC NT Local News

Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin says there is nothing new in a submission that slams ERA's Ranger Mine, which is surrounded by Kakadu National Park.

The submission to the Federal Government's inquiry into uranium mining was made by a senior elder of the Mirarr people, Yvonne Margarula.

In it she says the mine has brought greater access to alcohol and sparked fighting over royalties.

Ms Martin says Ms Margarula's views are the same now as they have always been.

"Yvonne has a very strong position, it's one that we've heard over many years now and it certainly has not changed," she said.

"There has been a lot of work done in Kakadu to look at the impact of mining on the traditional owners and it's something that we're very keenly engaged in and we'll continue to be so."