Holly Creenaune
An Alliance against Uranium meeting on July 29-30, on Athenge Lhere land at Mt Everard near Alice Springs in central Australia, resolved to oppose federal government plans for a nuclear waste dump.
Attending were members of the Arrernte, Luritja, Adnymathahana, Arabunna, Warlmanpa and Larrakia/Wulna Aboriginal nations, Engawala and Atitjere communities and environmental, public health and social justice groups including Friends of the Earth, Medical Association for the Prevention of War, Anti-Nuclear Alliance of WA, Australian Conservation Foundation, Wilderness Society, Arid Lands Environment Centre, Environment Centre NT, Beyond Nuclear Initiative, Australian Student Environment Network, Canberra Region Anti-Nuclear Campaign and the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance.
The meeting place is one of the areas being targeted by the federal government as a potential Commonwealth radioactive waste dump. The other sites being considered are Harts Range, Fishers Ridge and Muckaty Station, all in the Northern Territory.
The Indigenous participants told of their deep concerns about the horrific impacts of nuclear activities on land, water, bush tucker and culture. The meeting committed itself to campaign against the imposition of a dump anywhere in Australia. Participants also affirmed the traditional owners’ rights to a clean country and clean water, and called on all political parties to oppose more uranium mining and greater involvement in the global nuclear industry. There was unanimous agreement to share information and campaign together for a safe, clean, nuclear-free Australia.
[Holly Creenaune is the national convenor of the Australian Student Environment Network.]
