Dorinda Cox (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

As the Australian Greens spokesperson for resources, I want to focus on the mining of uranium, because, of course, if we want nuclear energy, we need uranium. There are currently two operating uranium mines in Australia, both in South Australia. There are talks of opening up new mines in my home state of Western Australia and in the Northern Territory, particularly at the Ranger mine, the longest-running uranium mine, which has recently ceased operations after a controversial history of leaks, spills and licence breaches over that period. There have been discussions, particularly with Energy Resources of Australia, about extending the lease at Jabiluka, which sits near the Ranger mine, with both sites being within the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. The Mirarr traditional owners have opposed the mining at Ranger, and, if it does proceed, it's without their consent. They're now focused on ensuring that that site is rehabilitated to be included again in the World Heritage listed national park. They are also strongly opposed to any mining taking place at Jabiluka again. The Mirarr have carried out cultural responsibility for the impacts of anything originating from their country. In the case of the Fukushima disaster, after it was confirmed that Australian uranium was present in their reactors, senior traditional owner Yvonne Margarula said, when she learnt the poison from her country had resulted in so much damage in Japan:

This makes us feel very sad.

Any suggestion that Australia should consider engaging in nuclear power is a direct insult, in fact, to the Mirarr people and many other First Nations communities that are actively resisting uranium mining and radioactive waste proposals in their country.