Fifty people gathered outside the Federal Court building on March 6 to protest against continuing moves by the Anthony Albanese government to put a national nuclear waste dump on First Nations land near Kimba, in north-western聽South Australia.
Uncle Harry Dare of the Barngarla people, the Traditional Owners where the dump site is proposed, spoke about his community鈥檚 concerns, as did other First Nations Elders, environmentalists and trade unionists.
Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Nuclear Free Campaigner Dave Sweeney said 鈥淎CF respects the Barngarla people鈥檚 concerns and efforts and we stand alongside them in this effort.
鈥淚t is deeply disappointing the federal Labor government is continuing to advance a deeply deficient waste plan inherited from the former Coalition era.
鈥淭he plan is based on false assumptions and would deliver sub-optimal outcomes.鈥
The Barngarla challenge, set to be heard all week, seeks to overturn former resources minister Keith Pitt鈥檚 declaration of the Kimba site.
Senate Estimates show the government is outspending the Barngarla on a four-to-one ratio.
鈥淭his is a David and Goliath battle,鈥 Sweeney said. 鈥淯nlike the Barngarla, the federal government has access to significant resources and considerable power. It should be using these to advance real solutions, not radioactive pollution.鈥
Pitt tried to preclude Barngarla from seeking legal redress, but was stymied by the federal Labor Opposition, the Greens and the crossbench.
Sweeney said it is聽good that the Barngarla people 鈥渉ave a day or five in Court鈥, but 鈥渢hey should not have to go down this route鈥. He said Labor should put the brakes on the site selection process and 鈥渟tart聽genuine and respectful engagement鈥 with First Nations people.
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