Alice anti-dump residents confront senator

Kathy Newnam, Darwin

Coalition Senator Nigel Scullion was given a cool reception at an "information session" he held in Alice Springs on July 26 in an attempt to sell the Coalition government's proposal to build a nuclear-waste dump near the town.

About 150 people turned out at less than 24 hours' notice to attend the 3pm meeting. Many of them attended in order to express their anger at the Northern Territory senator's back-flip on the nuclear dump issue.

Throughout last year's federal election campaign, Scullion had said that a nuclear waste dump would not be built in the NT on his watch. Following the federal science minister's announcement on July 15 that such a dump would be built, Scullion has changed his tune.

Similar responses are expected at the senator's Katherine and Darwin meetings. In Darwin plans are also well underway for a major public meeting on August 31 to initiate a public campaign against the planned dump. To contact the campaign in Darwin, phone Justin on 8945 4116 and in Alice Springs phone Sarah on 0413 390 023.

From Green Left Weekly, August 3, 2005.

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From GLW issue 636