Uranium Industry is not a cure to Aboriginal Poverty

FEBRUARY 26, 2009.

The Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) has dismissed claims by the Australian Uranium Association (AUA) that uranium mining is the solution to systemic Aboriginal disadvantage.

The uranium industry's attempt to promote itself as a cure to Aboriginal poverty is in direct conflict to the reality of the Aboriginal experience.

Extensive research has shown that mining agreements have not improved life for Aboriginal people - uranium mines mean more problems. The main lasting effect of uranium mining for Aboriginal people is radioactive waste on their country - with no resources to clean up the miner's mess, say the ANFA.

Australians are one part of a global assault inflicted by mining corporations and governments who care more about profits than about long term effects on our Nation and our lands."

Aboriginal people have been and remain at the sharp end of resistance to the uranium and nuclear industry in Australia and we are not about to be swayed by an industry PR exercise..."

Formed in 1997, the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance brings together Aboriginal people and environment and public health groups concerned about existing or proposed nuclear developments in Australia, particularly on Aboriginal homelands.

The Alliance provides a forum for sharing of knowledge, skills and experience and an opportunity to come together to protect country and culture from nuclear developments. We provide this service in response to the lack of free and informed consent and decision-making that is gripping the Impact Assessment procedures supposedly in place to regulate mining industries, and the pro-mining position taken by leaders within Native Title and Aboriginal Land Rights in Australia.

The Alliance helped to build the successful campaign to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine in the Northern Territory, and more recently, a proposed national nuclear waste dump in South Australia.

ANFA Committee member and Kokatha Mula custodian Sue Coleman Haseldine said: "Aboriginal people have been and remain at the sharp end of resistance to the uranium and nuclear industry in Australia and we are not about to be swayed by an industry PR exercise."

Contact:Jillian Marsh 0407 804 423 Sue Coleman Haseldine 0458 544 593 Information about the Alliance is posted at: www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/alliance