South Australia’s Premier Jay Weatherill stunned NT Treasurer in his U turn on nuclear power
NT Treasurer stunned by nuclear about-turn in SA Financial Review, by Simon Evans 15 Apr 15 The Northern Territory Treasurer is amazed by the backflip on nuclear policy in South Australia.
Dave Tollner was part of John Howard’s government more than a decade ago when South Australia’s Labor Premier Mike Rann waged a vigorous battle, which went all the way to the High Court, to stop a low-level nuclear waste dump being located in far north South Australia.”I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a turnaround,” he says.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill’s royal commission into the potential establishment of a nuclear industry is now well into its first few weeks in South Australia and a likely final report is due early next year.
Mr Tollner, who is now in charge of the purse strings in the Northern Territory in a government led by Chief Minister Adam Giles, recalls the struggle by the Howard government to site a low-level dump near Woomera in far north South Australia which ended in 2004 after Mr Rann won a High Court challenge………
The decision by Mr Rann to oppose a low-level nuclear waste dump ultimately resulted in a federal government proposal almost 10 years later to site a dump on indigenous land at the remote Muckaty station in the Northern Territory. But that proposal also was abandoned when an agreement was terminated by traditional owners in June, 2014 leading federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane to seek proposals for a new location……..http://www.afr.com/business/nt-treasurer-stunned-by-nuclear-aboutturn-in-sa-20150414-1mks7n
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The Editor
The Advertiser
Although never a member of the Australian Democrats I was a great admirer of them, both collectively and as individuals, and despite their eventual demise (The Advertiser 17/4/15) they made many important contributions to Australian society.
Their role in keeping the major parties honest was crucial which became more and more apparent as their power diminished and as the Labor Party moved more towards the Liberal Party.
Australia owes the Democrats for protecting our unique quality of life by delaying polluting industries such as uranium mining and by promoting clean renewable energy.
To me, one success stands out from the rest and that is the Renewable Energy Target (RET), which had immediate results in the form of rapidly increased use of wind power and, later on, rooftop solar electricity.
The RET has done more to reduce pollution from fossil fuelled power stations than all other measures combined. For this alone we should be eternally grateful for those who formed, supported, and gave their all to further the work of the Australian Democrats.
Dennis Matthews
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