Anti nuclear friends ,
As we (WILPF, JUST PEACE, FOE) prepare for the commemoration of the atrocities of the British nuclear bombing of the Anangu Lands, Maralinga, S.A. in the 1950s, we need to link it to present day nuclear issues.
For example the debate around the future of nuclear power instead of green clean renewable energy will reach the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, early November. The pro nuclear lobby will be pushing nuclear energy as a solution to climate change.
Recently some politicians in the National Party have been pushing to water down the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and delete the section that explicitly forbids nuclear power, nuclear reactors from being built in Australia. So far they haven’t succeeded and they’re also lobbying against state anti-nuclear energy and mining legislation.
Low uranium prices have stopped the expansion of uranium mining in Australia and Ranger Uranium mine has closed this year leaving irreversible contamination of First Nations land but we have the world’s 2nd largest uranium mine at Olympic Dam, S.A. where there is the world’s largest single deposit of uranium.
KEEP URANIUM IN THE GROUND
RENEWABLE NOT NUCLEAR ENERGY
NO NUCLEAR WASTE DUMPS
In solidarity, Rosemarie
COMMEMORATION 65 YEARS ON
BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS AT MARALINGA, Anangu Land
Maralinga is the Yolngu name for thunder.
65 years ago Britain tested 12 atmospheric nuclear bombs at Maralinga. The worst contamination came with minor trials with nuclear warheads in the early 1960s. They released 100 kg of radioactive and toxic elements on Anangu land. It is still contaminated after 3 cleanups.
About 1,200 Anangu people and many servicemen were exposed to radiation during the testing. The radioactive fallout, called “Puyu, black mist” caused sore eyes, skin rashes, diarrhoa, vomiting fever and the early death of entire families. It caused blindness and long term illness such as cancer and lung disease.
WHEN: Saturday 25th September 2-3 p.m.
WHERE: Brisbane City Boundary, 247 Dawson Parade, Keperra.
A short demonstration remembering the nuclear bombings on Maralinga,Anangu Land and recalling the 1980’s campaign to make Brisbane a nuclear free zone.