Gabrielle Howlett and Braden Hill – West Australian Youth Delegates attending the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.
Greens MLA Adele Carles has given notice in Parliament that she will be introducing a bill to ban uranium mining when parliament resumes early next year.
The Fremantle MP plans to introduce a Bill, The Uranium Mining Prohibition (Keeping WA Free from the Nuclear Fuel Chain) Bill 2009, which will prohibit the mining of uranium and set a maximum penalty of up to $5 million for offences.
Ms Carles said the state government’s decision to give the green light to uranium mining is both dangerous and undemocratic.
“Now is the time for a full public debate on uranium mining in this State. We want this debate to happen before uranium mining begins. We need the debate before contracts are signed, so that this important issue doesn’t become overwhelmed by the question of how much compensation taxpayers would be liable for to break uranium contracts. We are currently seeing the Government introducing legislation to fast track the approvals process so that these mines can begin soon with very little public input.”
Ms Carles fears that our WA uranium may end up supporting China’s nuclear weapons program. “China is not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards that aim to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Our Australian uranium is likely to be used in plutonium reprocessing plants that support China’s nuclear weapons program.”
“This Bill reflects the massive community pressure for WA to stay out of the unsafe practices and outmoded thinking that define the nuclear industry.”
“Western Australians are demanding clean, long-term renewable energy alternatives to tackle the uncertain future that climate change is bringing us,” she said.
The Greens MP said uranium mining is a political, social, environmental and financial black hole.
“Mining companies are the ones who will reap economic benefits for a decade or so but Western Australians will bear the brunt of this toxic legacy indefinitely,” Ms Carles said.
The Bill is set to be introduced into parliament when it first sits next February.
Extract from the Fremantle Herald – 28th November 2009
Extract from the Fremantle Herald 28th November 2009
Extract from the Fremantle Herald – 28th November 2009
Notice of Motion to Introduce Uranium Mining Prohibition Bill. A copy of the bill can be found here. It will be debated in February 2010.
Extract from Hansard – Wednesday 25th November 2009
MS A.S. CARLES (Fremantle) [12.12 pm]: I have a petition that conforms with the standing orders with 681 signatures about the reinstatement of the ban on uranium mining in Western Australia. It reads as follows —
“To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled.
We, the undersigned residents of Western Australia are opposed to uranium mining. We ask the Legislative Assembly to recognise the unacceptable risk to the community and the environment posed by uranium mining and to immediately reinstate the ban on uranium mining in Western Australia.
Your petitioners as in duty bound, will ever pray.”
[See petition 197.]
Nonconforming Petition
MS A.S. CARLES (Fremantle) [12.13 pm]: I also have a similar but non-conforming petition containing 594 signatures that is addressed to the Premier. I will hand that petition to the Premier.
Extract from the Fremantle Gazette – 24th November 2009
Extract from Hansard – Thursday 19th November
MS A.S. CARLES (Fremantle) [12.59 pm]: One of the joys of representing the people of Fremantle is being part of such a creative and enterprising community. I would like to congratulate one of Fremantle’s most loved theatre groups, the Deckchair Theatre, on an exceptional year in 2009. Throughout its 26-year history, Deckchair has consistently brought us inspiring, enjoyable and challenging new theatre. In 2009 it produced three new works, each attracting significant critical and audience acclaim. In particular, I would like to make mention of the bittersweet production of Krakouer, which remains a personal highlight for me with its brave and sensitive navigation through themes of racism, love, despair and triumph. Krakouer tells the story of two famous Aboriginal footballer brothers who fought each other and with each other against racial vilification. It has now been nominated for an Equity Guild Award. It is testament to Deckchair’s strong record of presenting stories that explore the rich social history of Western Australia. I understand that Krakouer is being taken to regional areas in Western Australia and interstate.
I would also like to congratulate Deckchair Theatre on its very successful art auction, which I attended last month. Many Fremantle artists generously donated their artworks for the benefit of Deckchair. The new 2010 season will include a world premiere, to be presented in association with the Perth International Arts Festival, and two WA premieres of new Australian works. I would like to applaud Deckchair Theatre for its ongoing creative vision from a uniquely Western Australian perspective. I look forward to an outstanding year of compelling theatre from Deckchair in 2010.
Adele with Chief Scientist of WA, Professor Lyn Beazley AO.
