urg::: Qld Govt maintains uranium mining opposition

[Len Kanaar - FoE Sydney]

ABC

Last Update: Monday, September 12, 2005. 9:44am (AEST)

Govt maintains uranium mining opposition

The Labor Member for the north-west Queensland state seat of Mt Isa 
and Queensland Speaker, Tony McGrady, says the party is firm in its 
opposition to uranium mining.

Queensland Liberal Senator Russell Trood has told Federal Parliament 
four uranium mining sites in Queensland could begin production 
immediately if the Beattie Government agreed to issue licences.

A Canadian company has begun an exploration program in the north-west 
but Mr McGrady says he is uncomfortable with the idea of any uranium 
mining.

"Where does the waste go? And I hear these people from Sydney saying 
that, you know, 'the waste can go to western Queensland or indeed the 
Northern Territory'," he said.

"Well, thankyou very much, but I don't think I want to see the area 
which I live in being seen as a dumping ground. Nor do I want the 
area that I live in being used to transport the nuclear waste."


© 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation