2021-11-29
The Greens have pledged to keep fighting against South Australia being a dumping ground for nuclear waste, despite the Morrison Government declaring Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula its chosen site today.
Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The Morrison-Joyce Government has officially decided to dump radioactive waste on Kimba on SA’s Eyre Peninsula, home to some of the country’s best agricultural land.
“The site selection process for a nuclear waste dump was dodgy from the start. It’s ripped small communities apart and Traditional Owners have vehemently objected to the proposal. It’s also ignored South Australian law under which this proposal is illegal.
“SA said no to being dumped on and the Greens will keep fighting against this proposal.”
SA Greens spokesperson for Energy Robert Simms MLC said:
“Today’s decision by the federal government to dump nuclear waste in Kimba, is a decision with profound ramifications. South Australians could not have been clearer. We do not want dangerous radioactive waste being dumped in farming country against the wishes of the Barngarla – the area’s Traditional Owners.
“The Greens will be doing everything we can in the state parliament to ensure there is appropriate scrutiny of this decision. At the very least, there should be a wide-ranging parliamentary inquiry to consider the implications and no further action should be taken by the government until that process has concluded.”
Greens lead Senate candidate Professor Barbara Pocock said:
“The Government’s plans will result in passage of radioactive waste through South Australia’s regional roads, streets and waters for decades to come, yet these towns and cities - and all South Australians - were never consulted.
“A radioactive waste dump in the heart of our food bowl puts at risk our clean, green reputation and our state’s key grain export industry.
“The Greens aren’t leaving it to the community of Kimba to hold the line on their own – with the Greens fighting in the Senate and the State Parliament we will keep defending South Australia.”