Greens call on major parties to reject Alice Springs uranium exploration licence
The two major parties should reject the Cameco/Paladin application for a uranium exploration licence close to Alice Springs, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today, following his visit to the Northern Territory.
"A uranium mine 21km from the CBD of Alice Springs is unthinkable,"Senator Brown said.
"Labor and the Country Liberal parties should have already rejected the Cameco/Paladin application," Senator Brown said.
"The uranium exploration site covers the subterranean water source for Alice Springs and it is also in the path of seasonal dust storms. If it goes ahead it will create radioactive waste that will be toxic for thousands of years."
"Alice Springs is already a global attraction with it stunning natural environment and rich cultural history. The approval of an exploration licence will threaten jobs in tourism and other local industries, as well as damage Alice Springs' clean solar city image," Senator Brown said.
Senator says Environment Minister Peter Garrett should make clear he will stop the mine if Territory authorities give it the go ahead.
A short YouTube clip about the licence application, made by the NT
Greens, can be viewed at: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=36vOfdA5cvQ
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603