Mr WOOD - 2010-10-27
The government and the opposition stated before the Araluen by-election that uranium mining would not be supported near Alice Springs. Is the Department of Resources now advising all holders of exploration leases that uranium mining is not supported if some people do not want it, and any mineral lease application will be a waste of time?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Taking the decision to advise the company and the people of Alice Springs that, if the companies were to proceed to an application to mine …
Ms Purick: Hand on your heart. That is what he said.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Listen to the answer. If the companies were to move to an application to mine, then the government would not support that application, based on the overwhelming opposition to any uranium mine 20 km south of Alice Springs ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I believe companies, as well as having to meet the environmental obligations, have to have social acceptance for their project …
Ms Purick: That is all covered in the EIS and you know that.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: As a government, we believed that was the right announcement to make to give the companies certainty; that if they were to move, under a Commonwealth process, to apply for a mining lease, the government would oppose it.
I say to honourable members, hand on heart, this was a very difficult decision to take. I went through enormous hours of anxiety about whether this was the right decision or not. Nobody can question this government’s support of the mining industry and of uranium mining. However, people in Alice Springs spoke loudly, strongly, and passionately about their town, and it is for government to lead.
I contrast that to members opposite, particularly the member for Fong Lim, who came out very strongly in opposition to the announcement the Leader of the Opposition made. The member for Fong Lim only speaks these days when it is to contradict the position of the Leader of the Opposition on any number of issues. He never misses an opportunity to make it clear to his colleagues how he opposes the Leader of the Opposition on every issue, and there is an alternative.
Member for Fong Lim, we know you are the loneliest politician in Australia sitting there on the backbenches - a backbench of one. We know you are busy making friends. You only need five more friends and you will no longer be lonely. This is the issue you will make your pitch on, and you will be ably backed by other members sitting over there who support your position. Five more friends and you are in the top job, you will backflip on the position - it is game on.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. Taking the decision to advise the company and the people of Alice Springs that, if the companies were to proceed to an application to mine …
Ms Purick: Hand on your heart. That is what he said.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Listen to the answer. If the companies were to move to an application to mine, then the government would not support that application, based on the overwhelming opposition to any uranium mine 20 km south of Alice Springs ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I believe companies, as well as having to meet the environmental obligations, have to have social acceptance for their project …
Ms Purick: That is all covered in the EIS and you know that.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: As a government, we believed that was the right announcement to make to give the companies certainty; that if they were to move, under a Commonwealth process, to apply for a mining lease, the government would oppose it.
I say to honourable members, hand on heart, this was a very difficult decision to take. I went through enormous hours of anxiety about whether this was the right decision or not. Nobody can question this government’s support of the mining industry and of uranium mining. However, people in Alice Springs spoke loudly, strongly, and passionately about their town, and it is for government to lead.
I contrast that to members opposite, particularly the member for Fong Lim, who came out very strongly in opposition to the announcement the Leader of the Opposition made. The member for Fong Lim only speaks these days when it is to contradict the position of the Leader of the Opposition on any number of issues. He never misses an opportunity to make it clear to his colleagues how he opposes the Leader of the Opposition on every issue, and there is an alternative.
Member for Fong Lim, we know you are the loneliest politician in Australia sitting there on the backbenches - a backbench of one. We know you are busy making friends. You only need five more friends and you will no longer be lonely. This is the issue you will make your pitch on, and you will be ably backed by other members sitting over there who support your position. Five more friends and you are in the top job, you will backflip on the position - it is game on.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016