[Greens-Media] Time for Iemma to test Howard’s nuclear popularity

[John Kaye]

Time for Iemma to test Howard's nuclear popularity

Media Release: 7 September 2007

The Greens are calling on Premier Morris Iemma to instruct the NSW State Electoral Office to conduct a nuclear plebiscite in the Prime Minister's seat of Bennelong on the day of the federal election.

Greens NSW MP John Kaye said: "John Howard has already promised local communities the right to a plebiscite before one of his nuclear reactors is placed in their local government area.

"The federal election would be a perfect opportunity to test the reaction to the Prime Minister's pro-nuclear stand  in a key electorate.

"John Howard has used APEC to pursue his nuclear fantasies for Australia, locking this country into US President George Bush's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).

"Last month, voters in Bennelong heard their local member say that he has no problems with a nuclear facility in their backyard. 

"Their concerns will have been amplified by Australia's membership of the GNEP and the public enthusiasm shown by the Prime Minister and the President for a nuclear future.

"NSW Premier Morris Iemma claims he wants to stop the spread of nuclear power into this state.

"The state government now has the opportunity to show its commitment to putting the question to the voters of Bennelong on federal election day.

"If the Premier is serious about stopping the spread of nuclear facilities into NSW, he'll use the Federal election as an opportunity to allow the voters of Bennelong to have their say.

"The State Electoral Office should also be instructed to hold plebiscites in the federal seats of Wentworth, Kingsford-Smith and Gilmore as they were also named by the Prime Minister as suitable sites for nuclear reactors.

"Conducting the plebiscite on the day of the federal election reduces inconvenience to voters and reminds them of the nuclear policies of the different parties," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455