Friends of the Earth Brisbane
Anti-Nuclear Collective
Member Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance (QNFA)
PO Box 5702 West End Qld 4101
Mobile: 0411 118 737

Media release - August 23, 2006

Queensland must put an end to uranium speculation

Nuclear Free Queensland (NFQ) calls on all parties to state their position on uranium before the upcoming state election.

The call comes after Deputy Premier Anna Bligh’s remarks yesterday that “she was keeping an ‘open mind’ towards uranium and Labor’s “no new mines policy””.

“Queensland Labor’s platform is a “no uranium mines” policy and this is the policy they are taking to the election,” states NFQ spokesperson Robin Taubenfeld. “Any plans to change this policy must be revealed to public before they go to the polls on September 9.”

Queensland will be a key state in the determining whether federal Labor changes it “no new mines” policy next April.

“If Queensland Labor is not willing to take its current platform to the national Labor conference next year, it should come clean with its intentions now,” Ms. Taubenfeld continues.

“The same challenge must go to the Coalition. Are the National and Liberals supportive of uranium mining in Queensland?’’

“Uranium mining is a toxic industry and the start of the hazardous nuclear chain. There is no economic, social or environmental reason to open new mines in Australia.”

“As it is, uranium exports in 2005 earned only $573 million, less than 1% of total export earnings. Even trebling that amount would make little impact on the economy. Queenslanders should look at the real figures and not buy into the hype. In 2003-4, sugar exports earned three times as much as uranium.”

“Uranium mining is also a water intensive industry. The Olympic Dam uranium mine in SA uses over 30,000,000 litres of water from the Great Artesian Basin everyday – at no cost the company. This water is rendered radioactive, unusable and unrecyclable.

As Queenslanders water our gardens with buckets – we can’t afford this risk to our most precious resource.”

“The community deserves to know where all candidates stand on this important issue.”

Last week Nuclear Free Queensland sent letters to all members of Parliament asking for their position on uranium mining, nuclear power and radioactive waste dumping.

Nuclear Free Queensland is an initiative of the Queensland Conservation Council, Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance, and Friends of the Earth Brisbane

For more information:
Nuclear Free Queensland spokesperson: Robin Taubenfeld 0411 118 737