I ask the Environmental Minister Bill Marmion to reject Toro Energy's application for the Wiluna uranium mine at the beginning of Western Australias iconic Canning Stock Route. Uranium mining is different to other mining; it consumes large volumes of water, contaminates groundwater and leaves behind a legacy of radioactive mine waste on country, putting workers and the community at risk. All Australian uranium mines have had history of leaks, safety breaches and failed rehabilitation. Uranium exported from Wiluna will at best end up as high-level nuclear waste. At worst it will end up as fissile (explosive) material in nuclear weapons, or in a nuclear disaster such as that unfolding in Fukushima, Japan. There is no bipartisan support for uranium mining in WA. The public is increasingly concerned about Australian uranium fuelling nuclear disasters. National and WA surveys show that more Australians oppose uranium mining than support it. What is more worrying is the New York Times published an article in August 2011 reporting on the fact that the 'U.S. in Early Talks About International Nuclear Leasing Arrangements'. Counties want to lease uranium’ from other countries and then return the spent fuel / nuclear waste back to the originating country. Should such an International arrangement occur WA could become a dumping ground for other countries nuclear waste. I do not support uranium mining at Wiluna, and again call on the Environmental Minister Bill Marmion to reject Toro’s proposal.

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