French & Australian Greens Protest Secret Sydney Nuclear Shipment

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

Thursday, 25 November 1999


French & Australian Greens Protest Secret Sydney Nuclear Shipment


Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown has condemned tonight's secret shipment
of nuclear fuel rods through Sydney, from the Lucas Heights reactor, for
shipment to France.

"The secrecy underscores the Howard Government's fear of not only a nuclear
accident in Sydney but Australian public reaction," Senator Brown said.

"This shipment ties the government's tongue from joining other South Pacific
countries condemning nuclear waste shipments passing Australia en route from
France to Japan.

"The French Greens are also protesting the breach of promise involved by the
French Government taking this dangerous cargo from Australia, contrary to
election promises. It highlights the deceit involved in the nuclear
industry," Senator Brown said.

"Under a contract announced two days ago, the French state-owned firm COGEMA
will recycle nuclear fuel for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation (ANSTO) at its plant at La Hague, on the Channel coast," said
Senator Brown.

The Australian Greens will be contacting their counterparts in Paris
overnight to inform them of the ship's departure for France. 


Further information: Ben Oquist 02 62773170 or 0419704095

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Ben Oquist
Greens Senator Bob Brown
Parliament House, Canberra 2600
Australia
+61 2 62773170 ph
+61 2 62773185 fx
www.greens.org.au/bobbrown
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