U IN M  K C i n M  M l t U  I V IM n N C  l  d i d

MEDIA RELEASE :

WOLLONGONG. N.S.W. 2500

tel 29 5455 Wol longong.

Tel.726832 Parliament House.

STEWART WEST,

SHADOW M INISTER FOR

ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: _ T , no,

----------------- ---------  2 June 1981

Hr West asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Environment:

To what extent will regulations and control of nuclear -

activities be devolved to the States and Northern Territory

Governments as so vaguely outlined in Razor Gang proposals.Â·

Does the Government eventually intend leaving environmental

assessment of uranium projects, waste disposal.techniques,

mining safety procedures and production levels to the decisions

of competing States. .  -

Will this proposed reduced Federal responsibility involve

amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and other Federal legislation.

If it is not intended to proceed on these matters, will the

Minister now tell us and' answer as to why these outrageous

proposals were even included in the Razor Gang’s report.

m -'r

ji — . .

Mr West commented: .

The Minister for Environment has no idea what "essential interests"

the Commonwealth has in uranium mining.

He has not been informed or consulted about how the Razor Gang

proposals will be implemented.

His reply that the Commonwealth ’  s"essential interest will be

maintained" by failing to expand or define what that essential

interest will be or what it will do shows he knows nothing about

the subject. .

His glaring ignorance alone is cause for concern.

The frightening part is that Premiers such as Bjelke Petersen

and the N.T. Chief Minister will be the ones calling the tune

on environmental standards and nuclear safety.

The devastation of Rum Jungle could be repeated throughout

major Australian states.

