Currently viewing: Nuclear Free Queensland » Pollies

On this site :

FAQs
10 reasons NO!
Health
Climate change
Waste
Water
Weapons
U in QLD
Downloads
PDF Fact Sheets
Nuke podcast
Letter writing kit

Political score card
Media
Action you can take
Contact Us
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Donate

 

Back to top

Political Score Card: what our leaders say

The Coalition are unabashedly in faovur of uranium mining and nuclear power. However, the majority of Labor voters and many members of the party are not in favour of uranium mining, and all the state Labor premiers have come out in opposition to nuclear power. But uranium mining continues to expand and there is a push from within the Rudd government to see it happen in Queensland too.

Now is the time to remind YOUR local candidate or member that you don't want uranium mines.

Check out your Federal representative or election candidate and let them know what you think. Find your Federal member [here]

More general information on electorates and voting can be found at the Australian Electoral Commission

Check your enrolment or enrole to vote [here]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QLD Labor Premier, Anna Bligh: Although Premier Bligh previously said she would support uranium mining (when she was Deputy Premier), in September 07 she voiced her government's committment to keeping uranium mining banned.

PRIME MINISTER Kevin Rudd : “ Mr Rudd has said that the policy needs to be "modernised", and his dominant Right faction is confident the national conference will fall into line.” (The Age, March 2, 2007).

FEDERAL Labor Deputy, Julia Gillard : “ ALP deputy leader Julia Gillard has joined Kevin Rudd in calling for the scrapping of Labor's no new mines policy at the party's coming national conference ” (The Australian, February 26, 2007)."I'm for jobs, I'm for jobs, jobs, jobs, and I understand that the expansion of the uranium mining industry in this country will mean jobs." (ABC Online, Feb 24, 2007).

SHADOW Environment Minister, Malcom Turnbull: Enviro minister since early 2007, Turnbull stands 'unified' with his party. That is, he agrees with Howrd pronuclear push for mines, dumps, power plants and enrichment plants.

NT Cheif Minister Claire Martin: "The Territory is somewhere that does have uranium, we don't know what commercial quantities it is and I am a strong supporter of mining," Ms Martin told ABC Radio.

Australian Workers Union head, Bill Ludwig: “Well, we’re doing it now, aren’t we? We’re digging up uranium now in Australia. So does that, you know, another mine - does that say it’s more risky? I don’t think so. Another two mines? I don’t think so” (ABC April 2006).

QLD Labor MP, Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara: “Mr McNamara says Queensland has an obligation to be part of a global energy solution, with an estimated $3 billion to $4 billion in uranium deposits. “...it’s important that we, as a responsible part of the world’s energy supply industry, consider the needs of energy users”
(ABC April 2006).

QLD Speaker and Member for Mt Isa, Tony McGrady: “...whose western Queensland electorate includes some of the country’s richest uranium deposits, has long been opposed to uranium mining but now he says it is time to debate the issue” (ABC October 2005).

QLD Coalition Opposition Leader, Lawrence Springborg: “The Queensland Coalition openly declares its support for uranium mining” (April 2006. springborg.com)

QLD Liberal Senators Russell Trood, Brett Mason and George Brandis:

Brandis was invited to Summit Resources’ Valhalla uranium deposit near Mount Isa on March 15, 2006. “Senator Trood says mining uranium at Valhalla and other sites would benefit not only the region, but the whole of Australia” (ABC March 2006).

FEDERAL Labor Environment Minister Peter Garrett: Despite personally opposing uranium mining, Garrett now tows the party line: "We've just got to recognise the reality that we are a significant exporter of uranium to the rest of the world and we have the world's largest uranium resources." (The Age, April 29, 2007).

FEDERAL Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese: "I'm actually a politician who believes in things, and I'll argue for what I believe in. Other people in the party will do the same, and we'll have that determination at the ALP National Conference next April." (ABC AM July 25, 2006).

QLD Greens, Juanita Wheeler Spokesperson, Queensland Greens National Convenor, Australian Greens: “All state members of parliament, and political candidates must declare their positions on uranium mining to the people of their electorates before the next state election, according to the Queensland Greens” (Greens 2006)

QLD Labor MP, Member For Indooropilly, Ronan Lee: “He said nuclear power “can never be deemed a safe practice and uranium should be simply left in the ground . . . the risk overwhelmingly outweighs the apparent benefits” (Courier Mail April 2006)

QLD, spokesperson for the Carpentaria Land Council, Murandoo Yanner: ”...We’re using knuckle-dusters when it comes to uranium mining. We will not take a backward step” (Green Left Weekly August 2005).

QLD Nationals MP, Member for Charters Towers, Shane Knuth: “I will not support a uranium mine in my electorate that will have the potential of contaminating our town’s water supply,” Mr Knuth said. “Charters Towers would lose out on the jobs but cop the contamination. I am not saying I don’t support uranium mining but I have concerns about a mine in my electorate” (Sunday Mail 2006).

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union National Secretary, Doug Cameron: “Nothing has changed since the party adopted the last uranium policy, and policy should not change” (ABC April 2006).

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) state secretary Andrew Dettmer: “I think there are a significant number of Labor members and supporters who do not want to see any expansion in uranium mining,” Mr Dettmer said.”If the Labor Party were to change the policy, we would be ceding ground to the Greens we could ill afford to lose.” He said comments by Mr Ludwig to relax uranium mining had caused a "wave of revulsion” in the party” (Rehame April 2006).

 

© 2006 NFQe | Design by Andreas Viklund