My apologies to those of you who would like to see more pretty pictures of flowers and sunsets and nice stuff like that, but there is some serious stuff happening in the NT at the moment and I think it is important to raise awareness of a very sad issue.
Last night on Stateline (ABC 7:30pm) Clare Martin declared that the McArthur River diversion and open-cut mine will go ahead. Please read the transcript here:
Transcript
McArthur River Mine gets the go ahead
Broadcast: 13/10/2006
Reporter: Melinda James
http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nt/content/2006/s1764620.htm
NT NEWS 14/10/2006
Mine given green light
By NIGEL ADLAM
http://www.ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,20578601%255E13569,00.html
It is a very week defence when the best you can say about your actions is that what you are doing is within the bounds of the law!
I wonder if this Government needs relationship therapy?
No amount of self-deceived, propaganda about the inherant 'goodness' of mines will resolve the issues that will be caused by this project.
As far as I can see the government is so head-over-heals in love with mining companies that they are willing to roll over and wach the country raped by their partner of convenience. What wouldn't they be willing to sacrifice for the sake of continuing a sick relationship?
Time will tell what the true cost of this abusive relationship will have on us citizens, the neglected children of wayward parents.
The people will continue to speak against this decision and action has been planned to remind the Government of their responsibilities please see the forwarded email below:
The Environment Centre NT and the Borroloola People are holding two days of action next week to focus attention on the McArthur River.
Over 40 traditional owners (Yanyuwa, Garrawa, Mara and Gurdanji People) will be in Darwin, they will be travelling over 900km to get here.
Show your support for the River and the Traditional Owners by;
1. Demonstrating support for McArthur at Parliament House, in the gardens from 10am, filling the Public Gallery at 2-3pm on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th.
2. Attending a Don’t muck up the McArthur Public Meeting, Museum and Art Gallery NT, Fannie Bay at 6.30pm on Tuesday 17th October.
For more information call 8981 1984 or email ecntdaly@iinet.net.au
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For those who are unaware of the strength of the TO’s opposition, here are some statements from the Borroloola Traditional Elders Group (BTEG) 25th Sept 2006.
“The BTEG are united in their position that the McArthur River, Surprise Creek and Barney Creek must not be shifted from their current position”
“The Gurdanji people know that our gudgiga, our songs and stories, will be destroyed by the shifting of our creeks and rivers”
“The Yanyuwa people know that the McArthur River and our coast and islands are already being polluted with heavy metals. The pollution will only get worse if they shift the rivers.”
Thankyou
Charles Roche
Freshwater Campaigner
Environment Centre NT
PO Box 2120, Darwin NT 0801
Ph. 08 8941 7439
Fax. 08 8941 0387
Mob. 044 888 7303
Email. ecntdaly@iinet.net.au
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