Tuesday, 24 April, 2007

by Jamie Freed
ECNT

Environment Centre of the NT (ECNT) 'Beyond Nuclear Initiative' campaigner Emma King will be attending the ALP National Conference this weekend in Sydney as an observer, and will also speak at a rally outside the conference.

"The decision whether to change the ALP's 'no new uranium mines' policy has huge implications for the NT," Ms King said.

"The NT already has a legacy of radioactive contamination from Rum Jungle, Ranger and other uranium mines.

"If more uranium mines were approved by a future Commonwealth Labor government then the existing problems of radioactive contamination, excessive water use, public health risks, overriding of Indigenous opposition, and lack of adequate regulation, would all be made worse.

"ECNT has been working to prevent a toxic nuclear future for the NT since its inception in 1983 and has been actively lobbying NT ALP delegates over the outcome of this debate.

"We will be delivering a message from Indigenous Traditional Owners of a proposed uranium mine near Alice Springs that they do not want mines on their country.

"We are hopeful that the ALP will do the ethically, socially and environmentally responsible thing and reject changes that would allow more uranium mines. This is clearly what most ALP members and supporters want - as consistently shown by opinion polls".