Ep. 105: Western Australia - the nuclear state?

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Ep.105: Western Australia - the nuclear state?
Presented by Libby and Hannah

This week we look at the expanding uranium industry in WA. At this stage there are no uranium mines in WA. However there are many uranium deposits and a lot of companies are "exploring" as you read this. There are several proposed mines being processed at the moment, many on Indigenous homelands. Western Australia also doesn't have a regulatory framework to deal with the risks of nuclear mining and many community members are concerned about this.

In our first story, the 3rd Degree's Libby King caught up with Ken Hayward (co-chair of the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance) and Natalie Lowrey (National Liason Officer for Friends of the Earth Australia). So, who is exploring where, what is being planned and what does the community say?

Our second story is about the Western Australia Nuclear Free Alliance (WANFA). On March 27 there was a rally in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The message from Traditional Owners is strong: "Wanti Uranium - leave the poison in the ground".

The WANFA rally was hosted by Wongatha Birni Aboriginal Corporation and held in response to the lift on the uranium mining ban in WA. Thanks to the Radioactive Show (www.3cr.org.au/radioactive), 3CR community radio in Melbourne, for letting us share this story (by Jessie Boylan and Madeline Hudson).

Announcements...
1.Stop the Intervention Rally - Friday May 28th, 5.30pm at Town Hall Steps. - Come along to voice your opposition to the NT Intervention, a racist policy that Rudd just keeps rolling out. For more info check out stoptheintervention.org

2. Gathering Ground - STARTS TONIGHT, Thursday 27, Friday 28, Saturday 29, The Block, Redfern. - performance, art, music and much more to celebrate Aboriginal culture & the Redfern community. Starts 6.30pm sharp each night.

3. National Day of Protest against Native Forest Wood-Fired Power
- *Tuesday June 1st* - Join the Wilderness Action Group for some street theatre on the steps on NSW Parliament. Come along to send a message to the NSW premier that burning native forest for electricity is NOT ON. 12.30 -2.30, Macquarie Street.
For more details see www.forestmedia.net.au and forestconnect.wordpress.com. Click here for info on anti-logging campaigns in NSW & the Eden woodchip power-plant proposal.