It's more important than ever to protect the effectiveness of national legislation on the environment with a conservative state government going ahead full steam on mining and development.  Show your support for the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) and help us resist the push to water down that protection.

Sign now The Commonwealth Government has a crucial role to play in protecting our environment and wildlife. Protecting our wild places and native animals is not 'green tape,' and I call on you to take a strong stand against the proposals in the COAG (Council of Australian Governments) agenda that would wind back the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and fast-track the transfer of federal approval powers to state governments.

Our iconic wildlife and environment are under greater pressure and threat than ever before. We need to strengthen rather than weaken environmental protection laws.

On many occasions, including the notorious proposals to dam the Franklin River or to re-introduce cattle grazing into Alpine National Parks, the Federal Government has stepped in to prevent state governments from carrying out environmentally damaging projects, and to ensure the protection of our unique landscapes and wildlife. 

The serious problems with creating bilateral management arrangements with the states are already demonstrated by the Regional Forest Agreement process, which has led to long term controversy and conflict in every forest region, and the continued loss of native wildlife and forests around the country. Handing even broader environmental assessment and approval powers to the states would see irreversible environmental damage and conflict.

Australia's environment is unique, precious and world class. For our wildlife and threatened wild places, please prevent the weakening of our environment laws at COAG, and ensure the Commonwealth's essential role in preserving the natural environment is maintained.

 Story by Jim Green:  

The Queensland Government is unwise to reverse the ban against uranium mining and there is no stronger reason than the industry's sordid track record in the state. 

French company Minatome undertook trial mining at Ben Lomond, near Townsville, in the early 1980s. Federal MP Bob Katter spoke at length about Ben Lomond in Parliament on 1 November 2005. He noted that Minatome initially denied reports of a radioactive spill, but then changed its story and claimed that the spill posed no risk and did not reach the water system from which 210,000 people drank.

Bob Katter takes up the story:

"For the next two or three weeks they held out with that story. Further evidence was produced in which they admitted that it had been a dangerous level. Yes, it was about 10,000 times higher than what the health agencies in Australia regarded as an acceptable level. After six weeks, we got rid of lie number two. I think it was at about week 8 or week 12 when, as a state member of parliament, I insisted upon going up to the site. Just before I went up to the site, the company admitted − remember, it was not just the company but also the agency set up by the government to protect us who were telling lies − that the spill had reached the creek which ran into the Burdekin River, which provided the drinking water for 210,000 people. We had been told three sets of lies over a period of three months."

Queensland's other misadventure with uranium was the Mary Kathleen mine in western Queensland. In the mid-1970s, a whistleblower from Mary Kathleen Uranium Mining Pty. Ltd. leaked documents which revealed the existence of a global uranium cartel leading to protracted international scandals and fines totalling hundreds of millions of dollars.

Hate Newman's uranium decision?  We would like to invite you to an open meeting  to discuss action relating to the LNP statement that Queensland will mine and export uranium. 

Date:  Friday 26th Oct.  
Time: 12:30pm Where Three Monkeys Cafe, Mollison St, West End Can't make a meeting?:  Join the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance to take action! Here's our mailing list:  https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/qnfa

The Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance is a network of peace and environment groups from across the state and nation united against this toxic and deadly industry.