Dr LIM - 1998-10-14
From media reports last evening it is evident that despite the apparent withdrawal of anti-uranium protesters the Jabiluka Mine is still being subjected to acts of gross vandalism. Can the minister confirm this?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. These continuing acts of violence and vandalism, and I guess terrorism, by the anti-uranium protesters really is appalling.
Mr Bailey: Terrorism?
Mr POOLE: I’ll get onto that, because it is bordering very close to it.
Yesterday I was advised by ERA that protesters had deliberately damaged construction at Jabiluka which was specifically designed to protect the surrounding environment. Now why anti-uranium mining demonstrators would be going out of their way to damage the environment is totally beyond me. An initial inspection of the area found that intruders had created no less than some 26 obvious stab wounds in the retention pond’s lining, which will cost ERA about $10 000 to fix up. The pond of course is designed to capture all the rain that falls on the surface area of the Jabiluka mine and its multiple layer lining ensures that collected mine site water remains separate from the surrounding environment. It’s part of the environmental safety of the mine and such action of course defies the very reason that people are protesting. And what a joke these protesters have become. They say they are speaking out to protect the environment when, in fact, last night’s action could certainly lead to deliberate damage to the environment. Last month they fire bombed ERA’s Environmental Office in Darwin and I would suggest that as pretty close to terrorism, even if the honourable member opposite doesn’t acknowledge that. That office was established to ensure the environment was protected not only at ERA’s Ranger and Jabiluka mines but also at many other mines throughout the Territory. They caused some $150 000 worth of damage and more importantly of course, people could have been seriously hurt or killed as a result of that fire bomb. But the anti-uranium protestors have no respect for the rights of others. Not once, but twice, they have sent bomb threats to the Department of Mines and Energy. In doing so they threaten staff and shop owners operating within the same building who lost business and, no doubt, money by having to be evacuated.
They are not the only businesses in the Territory that have nothing to do with Territory mining which have been menaced. A local firm which has been operating in the Territory for 25 years has received threats and demands for money simply because it bears the same name, or a similar name, to the mining company and it doesn’t have anything to do with mining.
On top of that of course, Territorians would have noticed by now graffiti all over Darwin on park benches, walls etc, which will cost many thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars and with regard to street signs that are being vandalised, to be replaced, and of course the tax payers will foot the bill That is not of course, taking into account the cost, the excessive cost, of maintaining a strong police presence out at the mine site.
The honourable the Treasurer said the other day, ‘I welcome the fact that they have finished their nonsensical blockade and left the Territory’, and I certainly agree with the Treasurer in such that I hope that they will not come back.
Members: Hear, hear!
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. These continuing acts of violence and vandalism, and I guess terrorism, by the anti-uranium protesters really is appalling.
Mr Bailey: Terrorism?
Mr POOLE: I’ll get onto that, because it is bordering very close to it.
Yesterday I was advised by ERA that protesters had deliberately damaged construction at Jabiluka which was specifically designed to protect the surrounding environment. Now why anti-uranium mining demonstrators would be going out of their way to damage the environment is totally beyond me. An initial inspection of the area found that intruders had created no less than some 26 obvious stab wounds in the retention pond’s lining, which will cost ERA about $10 000 to fix up. The pond of course is designed to capture all the rain that falls on the surface area of the Jabiluka mine and its multiple layer lining ensures that collected mine site water remains separate from the surrounding environment. It’s part of the environmental safety of the mine and such action of course defies the very reason that people are protesting. And what a joke these protesters have become. They say they are speaking out to protect the environment when, in fact, last night’s action could certainly lead to deliberate damage to the environment. Last month they fire bombed ERA’s Environmental Office in Darwin and I would suggest that as pretty close to terrorism, even if the honourable member opposite doesn’t acknowledge that. That office was established to ensure the environment was protected not only at ERA’s Ranger and Jabiluka mines but also at many other mines throughout the Territory. They caused some $150 000 worth of damage and more importantly of course, people could have been seriously hurt or killed as a result of that fire bomb. But the anti-uranium protestors have no respect for the rights of others. Not once, but twice, they have sent bomb threats to the Department of Mines and Energy. In doing so they threaten staff and shop owners operating within the same building who lost business and, no doubt, money by having to be evacuated.
They are not the only businesses in the Territory that have nothing to do with Territory mining which have been menaced. A local firm which has been operating in the Territory for 25 years has received threats and demands for money simply because it bears the same name, or a similar name, to the mining company and it doesn’t have anything to do with mining.
On top of that of course, Territorians would have noticed by now graffiti all over Darwin on park benches, walls etc, which will cost many thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars and with regard to street signs that are being vandalised, to be replaced, and of course the tax payers will foot the bill That is not of course, taking into account the cost, the excessive cost, of maintaining a strong police presence out at the mine site.
The honourable the Treasurer said the other day, ‘I welcome the fact that they have finished their nonsensical blockade and left the Territory’, and I certainly agree with the Treasurer in such that I hope that they will not come back.
Members: Hear, hear!
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016