Radio-active transport to increase

Penelope Bergen
ABC NT Country Hour

Central Australia could see a five to ten-fold increase of radio-active rail cargo if proposed uranium mines in South Australia and Western Australia go ahead.

So says Scott Ludlum, Green Senator for Western Australia.

Mr Ludlum says people living in Central Australia should be concerned and aware of the risks.

"People who are exposed to the gamma radiation from the rail cars over long periods of time face health risks. It's the equivalent of getting X-Rays over long periods of time."

There's no date as to when increased transports would be likely to start.

Mr Ludlum says Federal Energy and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson wants to 'bull-doze' the projects through as rapidly as possible before communities can assess the risks.

"There is probably a calculated campaign from the Government and corporate side of silence and dismissal."

Mr Ludlum is calling on communities across Australia to stand up against the expansion of uranium mining.


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