Tuesday, 25 July, 2006

No Waste Alliance

A Northern Territory wide environmental alliance is outraged that Kim Beazley will be pushing for Labor to overturn the "no new (uranium) mines" policy at the 2007 Labor party conference, a move now supported by NT Chief minister Clare Martin, believing the NT will be exploited for exports with little or no benefit to communities and no guarantee the uranium will not end up in weapons down the track.

The NT No Waste Alliance, with active groups in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, has expressed strong opposition to the opening of any new mines, citing the unresolved issues of radioactive waste disposal and the legacy of environmental contamination at currently operating mine sites.

As Kim Beazley, supported by NT Chief Minister Clare Martin, prepares to push for increased mining and exports through a dubious safeguard system, the Alliance is calling instead for closure of all operating mines and full rehabilitation of closed sites.

Emma King from Darwin No Waste Alliance stated, "The argument that mining will provide services and jobs for Aboriginal communities is disturbing. Aboriginal communities should have the right to the same basic amenities as all Australians, without being persuaded to allow mining of a toxic substance. Beazley was correct in saying "Uranium is not a fuel like any other". It leave radioactive tailings and waste for tens of thousands of years and can be used in nuclear weapons that terrorise and destroy"

Ms King added; "By campaigning to increase uranium mining, instead of rehabilitating and closing sites like Rum Jungle and Ranger mines, Beazley and Martin are wiping the alternative for voters concerned about our reputation as "Atomic Oz" becoming more entrenched".

"The Federal Government has already targeted the Territory this year by declaring it "open for business". If Labor changes policy next year there will be a further push to open mines in the NT. It is extremely disappointing that Clare Martin has jumped on the uranium mining bandwagon as well, when it is really her job to be protecting the interests of Territorians and ensuring their environment is well taken care of" said Nat Wasley from the No Waste Alliance, Alice Springs.

Ms Wasley added, "It is disturbing that Beazley and Martin are placing higher importance on failing international safeguards than on the opinion of the majority of Australians, and Labor voters, who do not think we should export more uranium. If Beazley is serious about stopping proliferation he should be calling for an end to exports to the USA, who are blatantly flagging their obligations under the non-proliferation treaty to disarm at the earliest possible date".