LL:PR: Jabiluka report delivered, mine proposal stomped

[Lopez, Elisabeth (Senator L. Allison)]

Senator Lyn Allison
Australian Democrats
Spokesperson on Nuclear Issues, Chair Senate Environment References
Committee
Jabiluka report delivered, mine proposal stomped
Democrats table damning Senate inquiry report
The proposed uranium mine at Jabiluka is "dangerous", poses "a grave threat
to the natural and cultural values of Kakadu National Park" and "should not
be allowed to proceed", according to a Senate report tabled today. 
Democrats' spokesperson on nuclear issues and Chair of the committee report,
Senator Lyn Allison, said the report vindicates the long-held concerns of
those opposed to the mine.
"The majority report states - the Jabiluka mine is dangerous and must not
proceed," Senator Allison said.
Senator Allison said a key recommendation of the report was that Kakadu
National Park be placed on the World Heritage in-danger list at the July 12
meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.
She said it was important for the World Heritage Committee to fully
appreciate the scope of the proposed mine and the devastating impact it
would have on the living culture of the local Indigenous people, the
Mirrar-Gundjehmi.
"The Committee report reveals clearer than ever before the link between the
deep social distress and demoralisation of local Aboriginal people and the
development of the Ranger and Jabiluka uranium mines," Senator Allison said.
"It tells a tale of continuing dispossession, the deprivation of basic
rights regarding land and the devastation of the sacred cultural heritage of
a living culture.
"Jabiluka is unsafe, unnecessary and poses a grave and very real threat to
natural and cultural values of Kakadu and the very survival of the local
Indigenous community."  
The Committee's recommendations include that:
*       the Jabiluka mine not proceed because "it is irreconcilable with the
outstanding natural and cultural values of Kakadu National Park"
*       the UNESCO World Heritage Committee place Kakadu National Park on
its List of World Heritage in Danger, without State Party consent (i.e.
Australian consent)
*       an inquiry into the Jabiluka project under Section 11 of the
Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 (or under the
equivalent provision of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Bill, when proclaimed) be conducted to examine "the inadequate
level of assessment applied to the Jabiluka proposals"
*       The 1982 mining agreement with the traditional owners was
"negotiated under questionable circumstances" and that the Northern Land
Council failed in its duty to "fully inform, consult and act on the
instructions of Traditional Owners".
Senator Allison said the report would be sent to the World Heritage
Committee for its meeting on July 12 so they could see the results of the
committees detailed work.  She added the report also sends a strong message
to the Australian Government.
"The report sends a clear message to the Australian Government - it's time
to back off its unreasonable and irrational defence of Jabiluka. The inquiry
has shown the approvals process to be seriously flawed, the mine to be
dangerous, and that Australia is simply not meeting its domestic and
international obligations. It is time to do what the Traditional Owners
want, to stop the mine," Senator Allison concluded.

Contacts: Justin O'Brien on 0411 473 697, Senator Lyn Allison 015 691 512






--

          Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List
                           mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
        http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html
   
Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop
Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink
Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink