[Greens-Media] QLD GREENS MEDIA RELEASE: Maralinga 50th Anniversary

[Qld Greens Media]

*QLD GREENS MEDIA RELEASE*
*Wednesday 27^th September 2006*
*Maralinga 50^th Anniversary*
Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the first British atomic bomb, 
codenamed ‘One Tree’, being detonated at Maralinga in 1956.

Fifty years on the legacy remains, with the British clean up in the 
1980’s and 1990’s being widely regarded as grossly inadequate, and 
reports of up to 80% of servicemen involved in the Maralinga tests dying 
before the age of 65.
The disregard for Indigenous health and safety was condemned in the 
later Royal Commission which stated that at Maralinga `attempts to 
ensure Aboriginal safety' during the tests `demonstrate ignorance, 
incompetence and cynicism on the part of those responsible for that 
safety'.

Queensland Greens Environment and Human Rights spokesperson, Juanita 
Wheeler said that fifty years on, the relevant governments were still 
failing the victims of Maralinga.
“The veterans of these tests, including the Indigenous groups and the 
servicemen have yet to be adequately acknowledged or compensated for 
their pain and suffering, including the passing of damaged genetics on 
to their children and grandchildren,” Ms Wheeler said.
**
Ms Wheeler said the Maralinga anniversary, though distressing, should 
stand as a timely reminder to those considering the mining of uranium in 
Australia.
“The nuclear material for the Maralinga bombings came from a Northern 
Territory mine, was sold to the British, and came back to us in the form 
of the Maralinga atomic bombs,” Ms Wheeler said.

“There is no way to ensure the final purpose or destination of uranium 
once sold, which is just one reason why Australia must rule out uranium 
mining.”

*-ENDS-*

For further information please contact:
Juanita Wheeler

Spokesperson, Queensland Greens

Mobile: 0402 487 110

-- 
www.qld.greens.org.au

State election Spokesperson. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110

Queensland Greens media spokespeople.

Climate Change and Indigenous. Drew Hutton 0428 487 110
Human Rights and Environment. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110
Transport and Planning. Greg George 0424 725 719

Queensland Greens campaign coordinator.
Ian Gittus 0422 542 370

Office 3846 0862
fax 3844 4654

www.qld.greens.org.au