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

Media Release - July 25, 2006

Queensland must challenge Beazley on uranium backflip

Friends of the Earth Brisbane calls on Queensland Labor to stand strong in its opposition to uranium mining, despite Labor leader Kim Beazley’s announcement yesterday of his intention to scrap the three mines policy.

“The environment and future generations will suffer the long-term consequences, if Labor follows the Coalition down Uranium Street,” states Friends of the Earth Brisbane spokesperson, Robin Taubenfeld.

Queensland Labor currently has a “no uranium mines” policy, which Premier Beattie refused to re-ratify at this year’s state conference, preferring to defer debate to next year’s national conference.

“Beazley has made it clear where he stands; it’s up to Queensland to make sure that that Labor stays on the right environmental track,” Ms. Taubenfeld adds.

“Queensland’s “no uranium mines” policy is the best possible policy to protect Australia’s true national interest – the guarantee of a livable environment, a valued heritage, a viable economy and community health for our children and our children’s children. “

“We urge Queensland Labor to not only maintain the “no mines policy”, but to spearhead its adoption at a national level.”

“Uranium mining not only threatens our water supply, but leaves huge amounts of water as intractable, unusable – unrecyclable – radioactive waste. Accidents do happen.”

“Only last week, around 100 workers were exposed to uranium contaminated drinking water at the Beverley uranium mine site in northern South Australia.”

“Earlier this year, Queensland residents living downstream from the Ben Lomond uranium mine site near Townsville were also found to be drinking water with higher than acceptable uranium content. Rain water tanks were then subsidised.”

“Uranium mining in Queensland would see an already scarce resource pushed to its limits. The Olympic Dam uranium mine in SA is licensed to use up to 42,000,000 litres of water per day from the Great Artesian Basin – at no cost to the company.”

“Queenslanders are well aware that water is precious. Restrictions on domestic consumption make it imperative that the Queensland Government does whatever it can to ensure that water in Queensland and throughout Australia is safe and used sustainably.”

“Queensland Labor was elected on a “no uranium mines policy” and Labor voters remain firm in their opposition to mining.”

“Queensland Labor must say no to uranium mining.”

For more information:

Friends of the Earth Brisbane Robin Taubenfeld 0411 118 737