Actions against Jabiluka
By Tom Flanagan and Jane Black
DARWIN — Anti-uranium activists are planning to blockade the Jabiluka uranium mine if the Aboriginal traditional owners of the mine site, the Mirrar people, fail to get justice in the Federal Court.
The Mirrar people are challenging the validity of the 1982 mining permit issued by the Northern Territory government. The challenge argues that only the federal government has control of uranium deposits in Australia. The hearing begins on December 16.
In preparation, 25 members of the Darwin-based NT Anti-Uranium Coalition and students from NT University travelled the 300 kilometres east to Jabiluka on the October 25-26 weekend to study the logistics of a blockade.
Traditional land holders have invited protesters to camp on their land. Activists met with the Mirrar people to discuss possible actions and procedures for liaison with the Aboriginal people.
Blockaders will monitor activities at the mine site, research the environmental impact of uranium mining and related activities and evaluate the environmental rehabilitation of the area.
Ronnie Innes, one of the activists involved, told Green Left Weekly that preparations for the blockade are well under way. A good deal of equipment has already been donated. Pit toilets and temporary shelters for meetings and food preparation will be constructed. Protesters will be accommodated in tents.
In Perth on October 24, 30 people took part in a spirited speak-out against Energy Resources of Australia's plan to open a second uranium mine in Kakadu National Park. The crowd, mostly high school students, chanted "Always has been, always will be Aboriginal land" and "Land rights, yes! Uranium mines, no!".
Resistance member Charlotte Bowler explained to the picketers why young people need to get out on the streets and campaign against uranium mining.
Many present spoke on the megaphone, addressing issues such as the environmental danger uranium poses, its impact on the Mirrar people and Howard's false promises of long-term employment from the mine — more jobs would be created by development of renewable energy.