Waste and Political Manipulation : South Australia's Nuclear Waste DumpThe Howard Government is giving up to $300,000 to a public relations company to spy on Adelaide radio stations and the Rann Government as part of its campaign to force a nuclear waste dump on the people of South Australia.The secret contract's details have been revealed as a result of a Freedom of Information request by Federal Shadow Environment Minister, Kelvin Thomson. The contract reveals a sorry tale of waste of taxpayer's money and political manipulation surrounding the Federal Government's plan to place the nuclear waste dump in South Australia against the wishes of the people and government of South Australia.The Freedom Of Information request reveals that under the contract, multi national public relations company, Michels Warren will be required to maintain a watching brief over Adelaide radio, particularly the ABC and talk-back radio ...in addition the consultant is to monitor State Government views on the national repository. Of particular concern is that the contract further indicates circumstances in which the consultant should report directly to Minister McGauran's Media Adviser, Darren Chester. This is taxpayers money being used to spy on the ABC and the democratically elected South Australian Government. The Howard Government already has media advisers who should be doing any legitimate monitoring, and departmental officers who can prepare responses and put the Government's case. Part of the contract involves accessing Rehame Media Monitoring firm, to which the Government already has access. The consultants are also being paid $176 per hour in order to manipulate South Australian public opinion, with the FOI request revealing that one of the tasks given to the consultants is to 'facilitate supportive media coverage'. Furthermore, in their pitch for the job, Michels Warren state that they began working on the issue of the national repository in mid 1999 and "assisted in obviating the impact of campaigns by opponents". These comments show that this exercise is not about the presentation of facts, or about 'balance' This company has been chosen to neutralize opponents and manipulate public opinion. A Labor Government would not override South Australian community views or waste taxpayers' money on such a green washing campaign. For Further Information; Kelvin Thomson MP Phone: 9350 5777 Mobile: 0419 594 882 Gavan O'Neill Phone: 9350 5777 Mobile: 0417 118 146 This article taken from No Nukes News Back to No Nuclear Dump News |