What is Labor's real position on Jabiluka?

On September 25, Green Left Weekly's PETER JOHNSTON asked ALP left candidate for the seat of the Northern Territory, WARREN SNOWDON, to clarify Labor's position on whether or not the Jabiluka uranium mine will go ahead of Labor wins government on October 3.

Question: The policy adopted by the ALP conference in January is to oppose any new uranium mines. Will an incoming Labor government close down the Jabiluka mine?

I can't say, I'm not privy to the approvals that have been given for the mine.

Question: Some people in the anti-Jabiluka mine campaign are saying that Kim Beazley has said, on the record, that Labor would definitely close the mine. Is this true and when did Beazley say this?

I haven't heard that.

It all depends upon what commonwealth government approvals have been given. It is a question of sovereign risk and sovereign responsibility.

Question: What is your response to reports in Business Review Weekly [September 21] that ERA boss Phillip Shirvington "believes he can be confident either way: if the Coalition is re-elected, it will take a miracle to stop the mine; if it is Labor, which has damned Jabiluka as an 'abomination', he says he has all the answers"?

He may well be right.

Question: If Labor is sincere about closing the mine, why can't it make an unequivocal statement about not letting it go ahead?

That would be irresponsible. We don't know the approvals and contracts made. The ALP's view is that ERA don't have all the approvals.

Question: How has the ALP been involved in the campaign to stop the Jabiluka mine?

A number of ALP politicians have attended the blockade, including Duncan Kerr.

Question: Has the ALP given any financial assistance to the campaign?

I certainly haven't, but I haven't been asked.

From GLW issue 335