[Greens-Media] Robyn Parker must explain toxic fib

[Max Phillips]

Robyn Parker must explain toxic fib

Media Release - 22 October 2011

Greens mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham today called upon
Environment Minister Robyn Parker to explain why she told ABC Television
7.30 program that testing on potentially poisoned fish had been
conducted, when the Department of Primary Industries said no such
testing has taken place.

The 7.30 NSW program investigated mass fish kills in the Macleay River
in northern NSW after a series of toxic spills from the Hillgrove
Antimony mine near Armidale.

“Has Minister Parker mislead the public when she said tests on the
fish had been done and these tests showed no link to the toxic pollution
incidents,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham

“Robyn Parker must explain the inconsistency between  what she told
ABC TV and the statement from the Department of Primary Industry that no
tests had been conducted.

“I wrote to the Environment Minister on the 28th of September asking
her to investigate and test the dead fish that residents were concerned
about and had kept in freezers. It appears no testing has been done
despite enormous community concern and the risks to health and the
closure of businesses.

“Robyn Parker has either deliberately mislead the community, or
bungled her Ministerial responsibilities, or possibly both.

“Given plans to reopen the Hillgrove antimony mine and the proposal
for a massive new antimony mine at one of the headwaters of the Clarence
River, the government must assess and respond to the real and
unacceptable risk of further contamination.”

Contact: Max Phillips 0419 444 916