[Greens-Media] Lee Rhiannon in Singleton: Greens back calls for independent mining and health study

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Alert - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 14 August 2009

Greens back calls for independent mining and health study 
Lee Rhiannon at air quality workshop in Singleton

What: Greens MP at workshop: Particles in the Atmosphere Upper Hunter 
When: 1-5.30pm, Friday, 14 August 2009.  
Where: Singleton Civic Centre, Singleton
 
In June 2008 the major parties and conservative cross benchers blocked a move by Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the health impacts of coal mining.

Ms Rhiannon is now renewing her call, backing moves by MineWatch and the NSW Environmental Defenders' Office for a comprehensive and independent health study into the impacts of mining and power station emissions.

"The government is making millions from the Upper Hunter coal industry, giving the go ahead to one of the biggest industry expansions in NSW's history," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Funding an independent health study is the least the Rees government can do for residents living cheek to jowl with mines which emit air, noise and water pollution.

"When NSW Parliament resumes in September I will put forward a motion calling for the study.

"The government must also crack down on mining companies for breaching conditions of operation in a way that compounds adverse health impacts.

"Establishing an independent study will save many millions in future by providing data that can be used to act to prevent mining-related illnesses like asthma, heart, lung and kidney diseases.

"We know that certain groups of people are at higher risk of poor health outcomes from mining, such as pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

For more information:  9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 
Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au/
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 
http://twitter.com/leerhiannon

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