2018-08-22
Labor and the Liberal Government have teamed up to block a Greens motion seeking to extend the community vote on a nuclear waste dump being built in outback South Australia.
“The Liberal Government has botched its so-called consultation and community vote plans in a desperate attempt to get a run on the board. Ignoring the views of Traditional Owners in both the Barngarla and Adnyamathanha communities will be at the Government’s peril,” Greens nuclear spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The Liberal Government has disrespected local communities, failed to gain consent of Traditional Owners, and has no mandate to build a nuclear waste dump in South Australia.
“While it is important that the Hawker and Kimba communities have their say, this is an issue that could also have implications the regional towns that this waste would pass through on the way to its final destination.
“The people of Whyalla, Port Pirie and Port Lincoln also have a right to be angry at secret plans to have ships full of nuclear waste arriving on their doorstep.
“The site selection process has been grossly mismanaged, and South Australian communities have been manipulated and mistreated. The Greens stand with South Australians in opposition to this dump.”
Media contact: Amy Moran 0427 604 760
Motion:
*1001 Senator Hanson-Young: To move—That the Senate—
a. notes that communities in Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Port Pirie are seriously concerned they have no opportunity to participate in the ballot process to determine the extent of broad community support for the proposed nuclear waste dump in Kimba or Hawker;
b. further notes that, if the site selection process is successful, these communities will see their roads, streets and waters become thoroughfares for low and intermediate level nuclear material for decades to come; and
c. calls on the Federal Government to broaden the community consultation process to include disenfranchised Bamgarla Native Title Holders, and communities living along proposed transportation routes, so that all affected communities have their chance to have their say.