Friends of the Earth Brisbane
Member Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance
PO Box 5702
West End QLD 4101

Media Release
October 11, 2006

50 years since Aussie nuke test: Australia must stop supplying uranium to all weapons states

October 11th marks the 50th anniversary of the “Kite” nuclear test at Maralinga, in South Australia . The test, which involved a 3 kiloton
bomb dropped from a RAF Valiant B1 bomber, was Britain ’s first air drop nuclear test.

“ Australia has first-hand experience with the legacy of ill-health, destruction of traditional lands, and environmental contamination that nuclear testing incurs,”
states Friends of the Earth spokesperson Robin Taubenfeld.

“It is time that we learn from nuclear mistakes of past. As a major global uranium supplier, Australia can play a key role to play in promoting
worldwide disarmament by halting uranium sales to weapons nations.”

“The Australian government must immediately rule out uranium sales to countries that are not part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, such as India .”

“ Australia must also halt uranium sales to counties that are in breach of their Disarmament commitments, such as the US , Australia ’s number one
uranium client, and China .”

“ North Korea is surrounded by nuclear superpowers, or their allies, and has US troops on its border. The North Korean nuclear test is a clear sign that
nations feeling threatened by nuclear superpowers will strive to develop their own weapons systems.”

“The US conducted a “sub-critical” nuclear test only 6 weeks ago, on August 30, demonstrating its determination to maintain its nuclear weapons arsenal.
Australia should take action to condemn those actions as well.”

“It is hypocritical for Australia to oppose one country’s nuclear weapons program while supporting others.”

“We want to live in a nuclear weapons free world,” Ms. Taubenfeld continues. “We call on North Korea , the US and all weapons states to disarm. We call on
Australia to stop supplying uranium to countries that refuse to do so.”

For more information:
Friends of the Earth Brisbane spokesperson
Robin Taubenfeld 0411 118 737

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