MEDIA RELEASE
MONDAY 16 MAY, 2016 

SA groups launch No Dump Alliance in response to nuclear Royal Commission findings

Following the recommendation of the Nuclear Royal Commission to pursue a high level nuclear waste dump in SA, Traditional Owners and representatives from health, union, faith, and conservation groups, and other prominent South Australians have responded by launching the 'No Dump Alliance.'

These Groups have signed a Statement of Concern that focuses on the following key issues:

•  Lack of respect for Traditional Owners

•  The legacy for future generations

•  Public health and environment impact

•  Financial risks

For a copy of the statement and further information about the Alliance, go to: www.nodumpalliance.org.au

Rose Lester, a Yankunytjatjara Traditional Owner from the states far north and daughter of the Alliance’s patron Yami Lester, said: “If you're involved in the pastoral industry, tourism industry, agricultural or aquaculture industries a nuclear waste dump could ruin everything good that hard working South Australians have worked so hard to achieve. The South Australian Government should expect fierce resistance from Aboriginal people in the firing line from plans to dump high-level nuclear waste here."

Dr Robert Hall, SA Coordinator, Medical Association for Prevention of War outlined concerns for public health said: "Development of a site for the disposal of nuclear waste brings risks to the South Australian community. There are risks to the environment and risks to health, which persist for very long periods of time. There are economic risks and security risks, and there is the risk of weapons proliferation. We do not need to face these risks. We do not need nuclear waste."  

Jamie Newlyn of the Maritime Union of Australia SA branch spoke on workers’ safety: “The MUA have a long history of opposing expansion of the nuclear industry including nuclear waste dumps. We fear that the economic assumptions pale in insignificance to the unknown safety & environmental implications of such plans. MUA members work in critical points of the logistics cycle and therefore the safe handling and above ground storage for decades is of great concern to the MUA for the reasons outlined above.” 

Contact: Cat Beaton on 0434 257 359