Media Release
Friends of the Earth Brisbane

March 16, 2006

Stay Firm on Uranium Mr Beattie

Friends of the Earth Brisbane (FoEB) appalludes Premier Beattie's continued refusal to consider uranium mining for Queensland, despite pressure, but say it could go further.

Spokesperson for FoEB, Kim Stewart, said that “Beattie is indeed right that we have no need to be mining uranium in this state. It's dirty and dangerous. However, a commitment to a coal-based future is equally foolish. Global warming is a reality and we have a responsibility to the future generations of Queenslanders to do what we can now.”

“We suggest Premier Beattie to take the advice of Professor Norman Myers, in his address to the National Press Club yesterday. He says we are at a crossroads for sustainability – we need to invest in clean energies now to preserve the future. Queensland has a wealth of ecological biodiversity at risk that will cost us economically if we don't protect it. The pharmaceutical industry alone will be worth billiions - why jeapardise that by a continued commitment to coal.”

Myers stated yesterday that clean energy technologies are the biggest export earner for Japan and that Australian research and development money should be directed there. Myers stated that so called clean coal technology has not delivered, despite ten years of research.

Ms Stewart concurs: “Alternative fuels exist now – let's use them, invest in them, and leave the dinosaur s, fossil fuels and uranium, in the ground. At the same time, we can embrace the smart state ideology by getting ahead of the game on clean energy technologies and efficiency measures”

Media contact: Kim Stewart FoEB Anti-nuclear campaigner 0413 397 839

http://www.brisbane.foe.org.au

Friends of the Earth Brisbane is a member of the Queensland Nuclear-Free Alliance.