[Greens-Media] Defend the McArthur River

[Ludlam, Scott (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA

Thursday, 28 September 2006

Defend the McArthur River

Senator Rachel Siewert has congratulated the organisers of today's rally
in Darwin in defence of the McArthur River.

At 12:30pm in Darwin, Traditional Owners from the McArthur River,
conservationists and scientists will address a rally at Parliament
House. The event is being held in response to proposals by Xstrata to
expand an existing underground mine to an open pit 1.5 kilometres long,
directly across the bed of the McArthur River. 

"This proposal meets none of the criteria for environmental, social or
economic sustainability," Senator Rachel Siewert said. "I urge the
Territory and Commonwealth Governments to listen hard to what is said at
today's event, and withdraw their support for this proposal."

"At a time when the whole country is waking up to the true value of
water, I would have thought any proposal to mine a river would be
rejected out of hand," Senator Siewert said. 


More information on the rally can be found at:
http://www.ecnt.org/html/cur_mining_mcarthur.html





For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au