Friends of the Earth Brisbane

member group of the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance

mobile: 0411 118 737

Media Release: September 27th, 2006

Maralinga Day commemoration - a reminder of where Australia's uranium goes

Today, September 27th, marks the 50th anniversary of British atomic tests at
Maralinga in South Australia.

The anniversary of the British atomic tests at Maralinga stands as a timely reminder
to Australians questioning the push to increase exports of uranium from this
country.

"Queensland uranium from Mary Kathleen was earmarked for the British weapons
program” says Friends of the Earth Brisbane spokesperson, Robin Taubenfeld, “and
uranium mined at Rum Jungle in the Northern Territory was used to make bombs dropped
at One Tree and Emu Field near Maralinga.”

The fallout clouds from these tests dispersed over most of Australia, reaching
Townsville in the north and Lismore in the east. The safety and clean up of
contaminated areas has never been successfully achieved, the indigenous people never
compensated. Nuclear testing in our region has left a legacy of contamination and
health problems for Australians and Pacific Islanders for generations to come. No
government can safeguard against that."

“The extent of Australia's uranium deposits puts a special responsibility upon us
to steward that dangerous element. Selling uranium to China, India or the US will
guarantee increased number of nuclear weapons in the world.“

Friends of the Earth Brisbane calls on all governments to learn the lessons from
the past –and to both disarm and stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

“Australia can play a major role by refusing to be part of the nuclear chain.
The best way to safeguard where our uranium goes is to not mine it. The only
peaceful option is to leave it in the ground.”


Peace loving citizens throughout the nation will be marking Maralinga Day with
events commemorating victims of nuclear weapons, testing and contamination
worldwide.

Brisbane will holding two events:

Today: Wednesday September 27 Commemoration vigil at ANZAC Square Brisbane, 4-6pm.

50 years since MaralingaBeyond nuclear testing – Australia’s nuclear past… towards
a nuclear free future

Speakers: Lew Rice, National President Atomic
Ex-Servicemen’s Association; Keith Jaffray, Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group;
Medical Association for the Prevention of War; Adele Goldie, Pine Gap 6/ Peace
Convergence Date: Oct 1 (Sun)Time: 2pm – 4pmPlace: Ahimsa House 24 Horan Street
West End