Antinuclear

Labor heavies and Chinese interests push for uranium mining in Arkaroola wilderness

• Labor powerbroker and union heavyweight Paul Howes has also lent his support to mining in Arkaroola……”Greens MLC Mark Parnell said the project was being pushed by “a conga-line of Labor luminaries”. “The only reason it is still alive is due to powerful and influential lobbying by ALP mates,”
• Labor mates’ lobbying a ‘threat’ to Arkaroola | Adelaide Now, Sarah Martin,  December 21, 2010 POWERFUL lobbyists connected to the Labor Party are winning the fight to mine Arkaroola, say the directors of its wilderness sanctuary.

Negotiations between Marathon Resources and the State Government began yesterday after the Government said it would renew the mining company’s exploration licence for another year…..Sanctuary directors and conservation groups say the powerful forces backing Marathon – including a Chinese government-owned shareholder – mean protecting the area faces tough opposition.

Former Labor senator John Quirke is the registered lobbyist for Marathon, while another former Labor senator Chris Schacht is a company director.

Labor powerbroker and union heavyweight Paul Howes has also lent his support to mining in Arkaroola.

Premier Mike Rann and Mineral Resources Minister Paul Holloway have both met representatives from CITIC, one of the largest state-owned conglomerates in China and a 17 per cent shareholder in Marathon.

Arkaroola Sanctuary director Marg Sprigg said she feared the lobbying effort would be stepped up over the next 12 months to allow Marathon to resume drilling.

“Arkaroola is lined up against some very influential groups, and very powerful lobbyists,” she said.

“Behind them are Chinese interests and probably others who Marathon may want to sell their uranium product to.”…….

Greens MLC Mark Parnell said the project was being pushed by “a conga-line of Labor luminaries”. “The only reason it is still alive is due to powerful and influential lobbying by ALP mates,” he said.

“Governments should make decisions on the basis of sound advice, not the sound of highly paid lobbyists whispering in their ears,” he said.

Labor mates’ lobbying a ‘threat’ to Arkaroola | Adelaide Now

December 21, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, South Australia | South Australia