Nuclear split in Alice Springs Labor group
October 11th, 2008 | by mantrionline |URANIUM caused a split in the Alice Springs branch of the ALP this week.
The branch wrote a public letter expressing “dismay, disgust and opposition” to uranium exploration 25km south of the town.
It cites a risk to the water supply, radioactive pollution of the atmosphere and a lack of consultation.
Long-term ALP member Dr Charlie Carter moved the motion at the branch meeting on Monday and released the letter to the media.
But he admitted the branch was divided, with seven out of 13 voting to protest.
Dr Carter claimed more than seven members were against uranium exploration, but party politics won out.
He said: “It was strongly put that we should follow the party line.”
He said the ALP recently changed its policy to support uranium mining.
He said: “I’ve read the position of the ALP in some depth.
“It says it commits to world best practice on uranium mining. I don’t think that proposing a uranium mine in the town’s water supply is world’s best practice.”
Chief Minister Paul Henderson responded to branch concerns with a “guarantee” the town’s water and environment would not be affected.
He said: “My absolute commitment is that through the exploration stage … and if it moves to the mining stage, the environment won’t be affected and the water supply won’t be affected.”
But Dr Carter said: “As far as I am aware the science of hydrogeology cannot guarantee anything.
“They can give their best estimate.”
Dr Jim Green from Friends of the Earth said evaluating the possible risk was a complex judgement.
He said: “The risk to the water table is low. But but there are two aspects of risk assessment. The frequency of accidents in this case are probably low but the impact of an accident is extremely high.”
At the last election 15 per cent of Alice Springs residents voted for the Greens, who oppose uranium mining and exploration.
Resources Minister Kon Vatskalis said people in town were divided on the issue.
He said: “People have been talking to me about economic opportunities in Alice Springs.
“I don’t know if this is going to affect peoples vote.
He said: “People vote the way they want because of issues that may affect them.”
