Jabiluka campaigners keep up the pressure

Jabiluka campaigners keep up the pressure

By Trish Corcoran

SYDNEY — On October 9, the day after the federal government gave the go-ahead to the Jabiluka uranium mine, a 300-strong demonstration marched through the city to protest outside John Howard's office.

On October 16, 100 protesters gathered outside the Regent Hotel, where Energy Resources Australia (ERA) was holding its annual general meeting. The demonstration was organised by the Jabiluka Coalition.

Activists dropped a 12-metre "Stop Jabiluka Mine" banner from the third floor balcony of the hotel lobby.

Nine representatives of the Jabiluka Coalition, also ERA shareholders, attended the AGM. They forced ERA chairperson Campbell Anderson to admit that the Jabiluka uranium mine is sited in an area as ecologically sensitive as the World Heritage Kakadu National Park.

At a press conference outside, shareholders representing the Jabiluka campaign launched an "ERA contract with Australia", a call on ERA to take responsibility for the environmental effects of its operations for a minimum of 10,000 years.

To get involved in the campaign call NUS 9267 4463, the Wilderness Society 9552 2355 or Resistance 9690 1977.

From GLW issue 294