Antinuclear

Liberals kow tow to BHP ‘s poor deal for South Australia in Roxby Downs Indenture Bill

Roxby Spin vs Reality as Libs Roll-over:       

1)        EPA not fully independent

2)        No guarantee of extra processing on site
  Greens Leader Mark Parnell has accused the Liberals of ducking responsibility over the Roxby approval Bill, as more details emerge that undermine confidence in the deal signed between the Government and BHP Billiton.  “The Liberals claim they could have got a better deal.  Well, they still can,” said Greens Parliamentary Leader Mark Parnell.

“It is not too late for the Parliament of South Australia to insist on a much better deal for our State.  We can and should amend the legislation to ratify the Roxby expansion currently before Parliament.  “To roll over and pass the Roxby Indenture Bill unchanged will miss a once in a generation opportunity to get this right,” he said.

The call comes as more gaps emerge in the Government’s claims over the Roxby expansion.  “The Government claims the EPA will be fully independent.  Yet with this Indenture the EPA will still be operating with one hand tied behind its back,” said Mr Parnell.

“Also the Government has talked up the potential to double processing on site at Roxby Downs to 350,000 tonnes of refined copper.  Yet this is not a condition in the approval and there is nothing to stop BHP Billiton ignoring that commitment in the future and export all the ore from the expansion and jobs to China. “And this is on top of locking in a ridiculously low royalty rate for the next 45 years.

“The closer we look, the more concerned we are at the very poor deal the State Government has signed on behalf of all South Australians,” he said.

November 8, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, South Australia, uranium | South Australia