-----Original Message----- From: Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, 18 October 1999 13:49 Subject: Greens-Media Greens Release Pangea Report 18 October 1999 Greens Release Pangea Report The Greens today released a 61-page brief for Pangea, dated August 1999, from consultants Dupont and Associates and Bergin and Associates, advocating a nuclear waste dump for Australia to 'protect the global environment', 'strengthen disarmament', 'promote non-proliferation' and 'strengthen the alliance with the US'. The report says 10-11 000 tonnes of waste is available each year, including 100-110 tonnes of plutonium. The current waste stockpile is 200 000 tonnes and this will grow 'in coming decades' to more than half a million tonnes. 'Australia cannot run or hide' from this problem and a waste repository 'would strengthen Australia's environmental credentials'. Taking the world's N-waste would gain favour from Washington and the UN and 'provide a major economic dividend in the form of investment, tax revenue and royalties' as well as trade. Releasing the full document, which he says was obtained by Greens WA Legislative Councillor Ms Giz Watson, Senator Brown said the determination of Pangea in targeting Australia is clear. The new state target is South Australia. Pangea's proposed 'high isolation site' would take some 3400 casks of waste from 70 ships, delivered by rail for disposal up to 5 km underground in a 14-square kilometre site. Neither the port or dumpsite are named, but the rail-line would be 300-1000 km long. The report claims investment of $1.5 billion annually from 2006 to 2009 and 5000 construction jobs with an annual operating expenditure of $700 million, which 'could support over 5000 jobs Australia-wide' (this indicates about 1000 direct jobs only - Bob Brown). The report says 'China, North Korea and Russia would probably be persuaded' to dump in Australia. Senator Brown says the report is a bombshell. It shows Pangea now has South Australia in its sights with Whyalla or Port Augusta as likely sea terminals for the huge inland dump. A West Australian port with a SA dump site is also possible. "Contrary to the conclusions of the consultants, the proposal poses great environmental and economic risks for Australia. It means Australia and its oceans will be the garbage recipients of a dangerous unmanageable industry. The multipartisan action in Western Australia which has sunk Pangea's hopes there must now be replicated at national level to make it clear Pangea is not wanted anywhere in Australia", said Senator Brown. In the Senate today, Senator Brown will give notice of his bill to prevent N-dumping. More information Ben Oquist. 02 6277 3170, 0419 704 095 ---------------------------------------------- You can now receive Greens Senator Bob Brown's media releases by e-mail. Go to www.altnews.com.au/Greens and sign up to the 'Greens-Media' opt in e-mail list. ---------------------------------------------- Ben Oquist Greens Senator Bob Brown Parliament House, Canberra 2600 Australia +61 2 62773170 ph +61 2 62773185 fx www.tassie.net.au/bobbrown --------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- GREENS-MEDIA Home Page http://www.altnews.com.au/Greens/ View Msg HEADERS for HELP and OPTIONS available from the ListServer. Tell all your friends about the Australian Greens petition to establish an International Criminal Tribunal for East Timor here: http://www.altnews.com.au/greens/timorpetition/ -- 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
