Alliance Against Uranium 2006 - “Living Country” 

When the commonwealth government announced in 2005 three proposed sites for a nuclear waste dump in the NT they referred to these sites as “the middle of nowhere.”

Maybe this was a naive statement from someone who had never travelled to, nor bothered to speak with, communities living at these sites, or maybe part of a more sinister move to create a myth that supports their plans.  But for the 100 indigenous and non-indigenous people attending the Alliance Against Uranium 2006 meeting at one of these sites, 20 kms north of Alice Springs, such a statement could not be further from the truth.  Held on Athenge-Lhure land over the weekend of 29 and 30 July, the land was alive with stories of rich country and culture and a willingness to learn and share in order to create a future that can be safely passed on to children and grandchildren. 

The sixth gathering of the Alliance Against Uranium marked a return to the place it began, in the heart of central Australia. Since the first meeting in 1997, in response to a strong coalition government push to further nuclear developments in Australia, the Alliance has grown significantly.  With an increase in aboriginal communities facing the threats of nuclear developments, such as uranium mining and the dumping of radioactive waste, the Alliance has increasingly become a place to share experiences, knowledge, skills, learn about the nuclear industry and develop strategies for dealing with it.

It is a place for these communities to be heard, to express a vision of healthy country and strong culture that can be passed on with pride to future generations.  It is a place for people faced with big decisions about the kind of operations that they will allow on country to ask questions and also to express frustration with continually being sidelined in decision-making processes.  For those who are campaigning in isolated areas of Australia it gives hope and strength to know they are not alone and that their stories will be taken back to the cities where much of the political power for decision-making is held.

One of the strong themes that emerged through the weekend was the farce that is the current model of government “consultation.”  Many people spoke about the repeated refusals of government representatives to meet and speak with people on country and explore their concerns.  In most cases commonwealth government “consultation” consisted of the announcement of a decision that had already been made, followed by a PR campaign rife with misinformation and, more often than not, presented in culturally inappropriate language and format.  It is widely recognised that good policy can only be reached with comprehensive community consultation. As an example of this process the Alliance has much to offer.  Traditional aboriginal owners, local community, health experts, scientists, environmental and social justice groups and other interested parties all have equal space to present their concerns and explore the intersection of these in order to reach a position that represents all parties and has an intention of finding the best possible outcome for everyone.

Friends of the Earth committed to organise a national speaking tour of people living at the various proposed nuclear waste dump sites and to work with Alliance members to provide information on uranium mining in culturally appropriate ways for aboriginal communities.

FoE acts as the secretariat of the Alliance Against Uranium.

Michaela Stubbs
Michaela is the campaign co-ordinator of the FoEM anti uranium campaign

On July 30 2006 the Alliance Against Uranium members released the following statement:

The meeting was attended by members from Arrernte, Luritja, Adnymathahana, Arabunna, Warlmanpa and Larrakia/Wulna Aboriginal Nations, Engawala and Atitjere communities and environmental, public health and social justice groups including; Friends of the Earth, Medical Association for the Prevention of War, the Anti Nuclear Alliance of WA, Australian Conservation Foundation, The Wilderness Society, Arid Lands Environment Centre, Environment Centre NT, Beyond Nuclear Initiative, Australian Student Environment Network, Canberra Region Anti Nuclear Campaign, Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance and Alice Action.

The meeting was held on Athenge Lhere land at Mt Everard near Alice Springs in Central Australia. This is one of the areas now being targeted by the Federal Government as a potential Commonwealth radioactive waste dump, along with sites at Harts Range, Fishers Ridge and Muckaty Station – all in the NT.

The meeting opposed plans to dump radioactive waste at any site in the Northern Territory and condemned the imposition of a nuclear dump anywhere in Australia. The meeting recognised the strong opposition from Traditional Owners and committed to actively campaign against the dump across Australia.

The meeting affirmed the right of Traditional Aboriginal Owners to enjoy clean country and clean water and practice strong culture and called on all political parties to oppose moves for more uranium mining, radioactive waste dumping and other nuclear developments.

The meeting heard the deep concerns by Indigenous people over the impacts of nuclear activities on land, water, bush tucker and culture.

Participants at the meeting undertook to build networks, share information and campaign together towards a safe, clean nuclear free Australia.