[Greens-Media] Senator Christine Milne: A new low in moral cowardice in Australia - Hypocritical Labor and wedge politics from the Howard Government

[O'Connor, Cassy (Sen C. Milne)]

Saturday, 28 April 2007

A new low in moral cowardice in Australia - Hypocritical Labor and wedge
politics from the Howard Government

Climate change is not just another political issue to kick around and to
grandstand on, it is the greatest threat to humanity today and deserves
serious attention, Australian Greens' energy spokesperson, Senator
Christine Milne said in Sydney today.

"It is demeaning for all Australians to watch their government pretend
that a desperate and blatant case of wedge politics is an attempt to
address climate change. 

"It is equally demeaning to see Labor claim fresh thinking when what we
are witnessing is hypocrisy writ large.

"Labor says nuclear power is to too dangerous for Australia but is
prepared to facilitate its use by the Chinese, the Taiwanese, the
Russians and any other callers.

"The technology for nuclear power is the same technology that fuels
nuclear weapons and their proliferation.  If Kevin Rudd is genuinely
concerned about nuclear non-proliferation and the dangers of nuclear
power then he should be advocating and end to uranium mining in
Australia, not its expansion.

"The Prime Minister and Minister McFarlane say they want a full debate
on uranium but want to legislate first, and talk later.

"Let's face it  -  the global security situation is worse now than it
has been since the Cold War, with the hands on the Doomsday Clock back
to five minutes before midnight.  Uranium drives the nuclear fuel cycle
globally.   Safeguards are in tatters.  Large amounts of nuclear
material are unaccounted for.  Terrorists are seeking to access this
material.  There is no solution to nuclear waste.

"Given all this, it is morally reprehensible for the Howard Government
to be so subservient to George Bush and his Global Nuclear Energy
Partnership, and for Kevin Rudd to pretend that he is anything other
than complicit in this agenda," Senator Milne said.

**  Media note:  Christine will be available to speak to the media at a
protest gathering outside the front entrance of the Darling Harbour
Convention Centre in Sydney at 12.00 pm today.

Contact:  Cassy O'Connor 0400 628 939