[Greens-Media] Iemma’s challenge is to stop PM’s nuclear push in NSW

[John Kaye]

Iemma's challenge is to stop PM's nuclear push in NSW

Media Release: 28 April 2007

Greens NSW MP and energy spokesperson John Kaye today called on 
Premier Iemma to work with the Greens to strengthen the laws to stop 
nuclear power generation and uranium enrichment in NSW.

Dr Kaye said: "If the NSW Labor government is serious about stopping 
the proliferation of nuclear reactors along NSW's coast line, then 
they will work with us to pass stronger laws that can withstand John 
Howard's push for a  nuclear future.

"Labor and the Greens together have the numbers to pass good 
legislation through the Upper House. The Premier has no excuse.

"The current laws are paper thin and can be overridden by any federal 
government hell bent on plunging this state into a nuclear future.

"If it takes a referendum to shield this state from the dangers of 
nuclear power generators  and the environmental risk of an enrichment 
industry, then we are prepared to negotiate legislation to create a 
plebiscite through the Upper House.

"NSW's coast line is in the firing line of Prime Minister Howard's 
nuclear  rampage. With a high demand for energy, access to the grid 
and the ocean to provide cooling water, Kurnell, the Illawarra, 
Newcastle and the Central Coast would be prime targets.

"These are also areas of high population density and important 
recreational values that would be endangered by nuclear reactors.

"The Prime Minister is using the nuclear issue to wedge the Federal 
Labor Opposition on uranium mining. The people of NSW should not 
stand by and watch energy policy being dictated by the political 
expediency of Liberal party in the lead up to the next federal election.

"It is time the Iemma government made it clear that nuclear power is 
dangerous, unnecessary, expensive and unwanted in this state," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:       John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
phone: 0407 195 455
email: john at nsw.greens.org.au
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