WALLACE CALLS ON LINDSAY TO JOIN HOWARD’S NO-NUKE MPS

The Member for Herbert, Peter Lindsay, should join the growing list of Howard Government MPs who have ruled out a nuclear reactor in their electorate, Craig Wallace said today.

Mr Wallace said, so far, 16 Howard Government members had said they wanted no nukes in their electorates.

In Queensland this includes the Member for Maranoa, Bruce Scott, the Member for Fairfax, Alex Somlyay, the Member for Petrie, Teresa Gambaro, the Member for Fisher, Peter Slipper and the Member for Moreton, Gary Hardgrave.

The Member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent’s, response to a nuclear reactor in his electorate was “over my dead body”.

“I give credit to these local members who are putting their electorates first – not their political party,” Mr Wallace said.

“While Peter Lindsay is busy trying to convince people that it is too early to talk about sites for nuclear power plants, other Federal Members are ruling out their electorates.

“Mr Lindsay needs to come clean on whether or not he wants a nuclear reactor in the North.

“We have 16 Government Members saying no to nukes yet Peter Lindsay won’t take a stand.

“He seems happy not to voice the views of his electorate.”

Mr Wallace said Mr Lindsay especially should immediately rule out Ross as the site of a nuclear reactor.

“I am advised there would be severe environmental effects if a power station were built at Ross, including thermal pollution of water which flows directly to the Reef,” he said.

“A nuclear reactor at Ross also would be too near rapidly growing urban areas.

“I call on Peter Lindsey to join with me in rejecting nuclear reactors in North Queensland.”

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.