Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Ludlam for the question. I can advise the chamber that, at approximately 1 am on 7 December 2013, leach tank No. 1 at the Energy Resources of Australia Ranger uranium mine, containing ground uranium ore, water and acid, failed, spilling into the plant area. The Australian government has ordered a thorough audit of the incident, and the Minister for the Environment has ordered an immediate investigation and immediate clean-up of the site. The Office of the Supervising Scientist was ordered to attend the site to conduct an inspection, and this occurred on Saturday. The advice provided to us is that there has been no threat of damage to Kakadu National Park. The minister will consider the findings of the investigation, which will be released publicly when finished.