Batman says pro-uranium Labor MP 'no superhero'

Selena Black, Melbourne

The Northern Anti-Nuclear Alliance (NANA) has launched a campaign in the Batman electorate against Labor MP Martin Ferguson's support for increasing uranium mining in Australia.

According to a January 25 Friends of the Earth media statement, NANA will hand-deliver 60,000 leaflets to every home in the electorate. The brochure, produced with assistance from FoE, is titled "He might be from Batman but he's no superhero".

According to local resident and NANA spokesperson Ila Marks, NANA is a "group of locals who love living in Batman and want to keep it — and Australia — nuclear free". The group was formed in response to Ferguson's attempts to overturn the ALP's "no new uranium mines" policy.

"It's appalling that our own local MP is so out of step with his electorate and the Australian community. Recent polls clearly show most Australians oppose more uranium mining.

"Instead of being a salesman for the toxic nuclear industry, Martin Ferguson should be promoting clean and green energy options.

"Martin Ferguson needs to remember he was elected to represent us — not the uranium mining industry which is dirty, dangerous and threatens the public, workers, indigenous rights and our environment."

From Green Left Weekly, February 1, 2006.

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From GLW issue 654