Mining – in particular the proposed expansion of South Australia’s Olympic Uranium Mine, turning it into the world’s largest mine – is something all Australians should sit up, take notice of and voice their opinion on.
Guest interviewer Ian Henschke, on ABC radio Adelaide, interviewed Paul Cleary, author of ‘Mine-field‘ – the ‘dark side of the mining industry’. SA Labor MP Kevin Foley was the first caller through on the talk back line. He launches into an impressive rant – managing to insult Paul Cleary, the Australian National University, the ABC and a raft of others. Apart from the descriptive insults he resorts to, the most hilarious moment is his strident, repetitive querying of Paul Cleary’s credentials. As it turns out Paul has an economics degree, etc – and Kevin Foley’s qualifications are…nix. Paul Cleary talks in a calm, logical and objective manner and this interview is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the dominance of the Australian mining industry and concerned about the future of our natural environment. No wonder the Australian environment and rural industries are under threat from mining industries, with incompetent, illogical, short-sighted people like Kevin Foley at the helm. Listen to the ABC radio interview here.
I see Kevin lists ‘water sports’ as an interest. I’d like to suggest he goes swimming in the massive radioactive tailings dam planned for the Olympic Mine. The Olympic Mine will be the largest mine in the world if it goes ahead as planned, with what Paul Cleary describes as ‘adopting African environmental standards’. Bear in mind that this is a uranium mine. Read more about this massive dam in The Australian newspaper.
Where’s all those vociferous greenies when they’re needed? Too busy growing organic veges in their inner-urban backyards?
Tags: Conservation and the environment, Australian agriculture