The threat of a toxic nuclear industry still looms over NSW despite the Cabinet deciding last night to oppose a One Nation bill to overturn the 33-year-old ban on uranium mining and nuclear power.
Cabinet has reportedly asked Nationals Leader John Barilaro to research the business case and consult the community before it will consider lifting the ban.[1]
“If the ban is lifted, the Berejiklian government will be solely responsible for kick-starting this toxic industry in NSW,” Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.
“It doesn’t matter whose bill it is — uranium mining and nuclear power are dirty, dangerous and unnecessary.
“Apart from being devastating to the land and ground-water, uranium mining would put already overstretched water resources under even more extreme pressure.
“And First Nations people would see even more threat to their land from large multinational mining interests.
“A very broad range of groups in NSW — from conservation groups to unions — has pledged to keep NSW nuclear-free and will do whatever it takes to keep uranium in the ground.
“Let’s be very clear: we will fight this proposal every step of the way.
“MPs should expect to hear from their constituents until this crazy idea is dead and buried.
“The only way Mr Barrilaro’s nuclear industry aspirations can take off is if Liberal MPs vote for it. Their constituents don’t want uranium mining and they should rule out supporting it.
“Rather than waste our tax dollars on building an artificial case for a dangerous and dirty industry that no-one wants, the government should invest that money to continue its work
opening up renewable energy hubs in the Central West, Northern Tablelands and Far West.”
References
[1] Berejiklian government to pursue its own uranium push, SMH, 24/8/20