CPA - The Guardian

Members and supporters of the Communist Party in South Australia made their views on increased uranium exports perfectly plain last Saturday. They hung a huge banner from the Birkenhead Bridge in Port Adelaide in protest at proposals to boost exports of yellowcake out of the Port several-fold in coming years as new uranium mines come online.

SA Chamber of Mines and Energy chief executive Jason Kuchel is relaxed about the looming development. “If it (uranium oxide) fell of a train or the back of a truck, you wouldn’t want to scoop it up and swallow it but it is not going to hurt you if you walk past it or drive past it,” he said. “Much more dangerous metals go through our city streets every day.” Local CPA branches are not buying it. They note that uranium exports are banned from the port of Fremantle because handling facilities are too close to residences in the area.

Members are highlighting other dangers associated with the trade. It has been conceded that Australian uranium was used in the reactors at the ill-fated Fukushima nuclear powerplant. The decision of the ALP national conference last year to allow uranium exports to India will allow that country to commit its other sources to the production of nuclear weapons. India is currently being brought into a war fighting alliance with the US against China. Uranium mining and nuclear waste disposal are major concerns for Aboriginal communities.

The CPA in SA is planning an ongoing campaign against increased uranium exports form Port Adelaide.

Next article – Intervention opponents say the fight will go on

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