Antinuclear

Marathon calls in political heavyweights for Arkaroola compo fight, Adelaide Now, Russell Emmerson ,August 15, 2011  EMBATTLED uranium explorer Marathon Resources now has five former MPs arguing its Arkaroola compo case. It has three former federal Labor ministers, one former federal Liberal minister and a former state Liberal MP associated with it as lobbyists or sitting on its board.

The company announced last week it was hiring commercial law firms Kelly & Co and Arnold Bloch Liebler – which has previously represented James Hardie, VISY Group and Patrick Group – to explore “options” after the State Government announced it was banning all mining in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in July.

But while it declared its legal moves to the market, Marathon has also upped its activity in the professional lobbying arena.  It has retained ALP lobbyist John Quirke since at least December 2009 but has added two more voices to its coterie since the State Government announced its ban.

Former state Liberal MP Graham Gunn declared he was representing Marathon Resources in late July and Bespoke Approach – comprising ALP heavyweight Nick Bolkus, Liberal heavyweight Alexander Downer and Ian Smith – declared its interest last week.

Former federal ALP minister Chris Schact sits on the Marathon board as a director but does not represent the company as a lobbyist. The state’s Lobbyist Code defines a lobbyist as a person lobbying on behalf of a third party client. As a director of Marathon Resources, Mr Schact does not fall within the definition…..http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/marathon-calls-in-political-heavyweights-for-arkaroola-compo-fight/story-e6frede3-1226114793615