Action against uranium mining at Jabiluka

Action against uranium mining at Jabiluka

By Tim Walgers

BRISBANE — A week of action August 18-22 has been organised by a collective of environmental organisations opposed to the Energy Resources Australia uranium mine planned for Jabiluka in the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Minister for the environment Senator Robert Hill will decide by August 22 whether or not the ERA mine can go ahead.

The week of action aims to draw media attention to the campaign. It will culminate in a rally outside the Federal Court at 3pm on August 22, at which time the Mirrar traditional owners will be inside presenting their case against the mine.

Anne Harrison, a Jabiluka action group activist, emphasised the importance of showing solidarity with the Mirrar people. She pointed to the example of the 100 participants in the Students and Sustainability Conference (held in Townsville in July) who visited the site of the proposed mine.

"The Mirrar people have a strong case. With strong opposition to uranium mining, hopefully the campaign will succeed", she said.

Resistance activist Roberto Jorquera added: "Uranium mining in Jabiluka, or anywhere else, can be stopped only by a strong movement involving as many people as possible. That movement has to campaign not only against uranium mining, but also for Aboriginal land rights. We can't rely on the government to decide what is best for the environment."

[Tim Walgers is the RAGE candidate for environment officer in the University of Queensland student union elections.]

From GLW issue 286