BEATTIE CHALLENGES PM TO NAME QUEENSLAND NUCLEAR TOWNS
Published Friday, 24 August, 2007 at 02:44 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the Prime Minister should name the Queensland communities he believes would welcome a nuclear power station in their neighbourhood.
“I note that Prime Minister Howard believes some Australian communities would vote in favour of having a nuclear power station built nearby.
“If so he should be prepared to put his money where his mouth is – which parts of Queensland does he believe will welcome nuclear reactors?
“While I am pleased to see Mr Howard’s back flip on giving people a vote on nuclear power I think he has demonstrated today just how out of touch with Queensland voters he really is.
“As Premier I travel the State extensively and am yet to hear from a community that wants a nuclear power station or a nuclear dump in their backyard.
“People supporting the nuclear power stations claim Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast are the best locations - I can assure the PM that he won't get support from either of these great Queensland communities,” he said.
Mr Beattie said he was also disappointed to see further evidence of the Howard Government’s lack of commitment to tackling climate change.
“A month ago the Prime Minister said the solution to climate change was nuclear – now he’s saying there won’t be nuclear power stations here for another two decades, so what does he propose to do to combat its devastating impact in the interim?
“The Prime Minister, who once commanded respect across the broad Australian community is sounding more and more like a man desperate for diversions because he’s run out of ideas,” he said.
ENDS
Friday, 24 August 2007
Media contact: 3224 4500
“I note that Prime Minister Howard believes some Australian communities would vote in favour of having a nuclear power station built nearby.
“If so he should be prepared to put his money where his mouth is – which parts of Queensland does he believe will welcome nuclear reactors?
“While I am pleased to see Mr Howard’s back flip on giving people a vote on nuclear power I think he has demonstrated today just how out of touch with Queensland voters he really is.
“As Premier I travel the State extensively and am yet to hear from a community that wants a nuclear power station or a nuclear dump in their backyard.
“People supporting the nuclear power stations claim Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast are the best locations - I can assure the PM that he won't get support from either of these great Queensland communities,” he said.
Mr Beattie said he was also disappointed to see further evidence of the Howard Government’s lack of commitment to tackling climate change.
“A month ago the Prime Minister said the solution to climate change was nuclear – now he’s saying there won’t be nuclear power stations here for another two decades, so what does he propose to do to combat its devastating impact in the interim?
“The Prime Minister, who once commanded respect across the broad Australian community is sounding more and more like a man desperate for diversions because he’s run out of ideas,” he said.
ENDS
Friday, 24 August 2007
Media contact: 3224 4500