SOUTH AUSTRALIA - TOO GOOD TO WASTE
ACF welcomes Anti-Radioactive Dumps Move

National environment group ACF has welcomed moves by the SouthAustralian Labor Party today aimed at halting Commonwealth plans toestablish a series of radioactive waste dumps in SA.

Concern over plans for radioactive dumping and wider nuclear industryexpansion is emerging as a key issue ahead of the SA state election due inearly 2002 with polls showing that up to 95% of South Australians oppose thewaste dumps plan.

"Radioactive waste is toxic and lasts far longer than any politician," said ACFcampaigner David Noonan. " All communities have a right to a clean andsecure future and opposing radioactive dumping is a strong step in the rightdirection."

SA Labor today committed to extend existing state legislation in an attempt tohalt plans for any national radioactive dumps in SA. The CommonwealthGovernment plans for a lower level as well as a medium and higher leveldump in SA are directly linked with its current push to build a second nuclearreactor in suburban Sydney.

"Lower level radioactive waste is not a low level threat", said David Noonan. "These wastes need to be isolated for up to 300 years and any lower leveldump would simply be the thin edge of the radioactive wedge as the LaborParty has identified".

The transport of radioactive waste from around Australia or across the worldfor dumping in SA would also be banned under the Labor plan.

"Communities are right to be concerned about the dangers of the movementand dumping of radioactive waste," said David Noonan.

"In the interests of environmental democracy and good policy all politicalparties must make their position on this key issue clear during this stateelection period. All parties must act against imposed and secretive nationalwaste dumps in regional SA."