"developed" anti-tudear movement -bas Conflicts over energy. especially atomic energy, have become a political problem of the first rank. The movement is growing daily.
On the other hand, it is evident that our opponents, the energy trusts and the state, are reacting to our opposition with a combination of repression They are determined to carry out the main hody of their programme, Socialist Challenge. Can you explain why the mining and export of would be had for australia am thinking of some reasons The mining inelf largely destroy the culture and the quality of life of the Australian blacks up in the area where the mining actually occurs and they are practically the only aboriginals left that maingrated form. Mining would create Wicholism, and so on It would decimate There is also the exposure of radiation and gas.
But the reasons that prope the movement forward are the same ones as elsewhere: the usolved problem of nuclear waste, the dangers of reactor accidents and, perhaps most of all, the accompanying nuclear reapon proflicration think it is recognised in Aus traiin that uranium mining would just be the tip of the Once uranium mining starts, richment, nuclear reactors to Siblicy of waste storage in the BUTTLE centre of Australla and eventually a full nuclear fuel cycle in Australia, so I think Australiana do see it as shusting the stable door before the horse bolts.
What sections favour the mining and export of uranium?
The mining corporations themselves Of Course They have spent over a million dollaus in advertising in the last year to try to persuade sections of the Australian population that it is in their interest.
The righr-wing unions like the Australian Workers Union, who are very small have come our in favour, because they accept the argument that it will provide some coonomic advantage to Australia, Some of the Liberal voters and of course the Liberal Gowwho are thick thieves with Lie Mining Corp USENTS And of course there are pres sures on all the political partles couptries Like Japan. America, Germany and Eng The Swiss anti-nuclear movement has launched this appeal for international co-ordination of the struggle and a day of action later this year. We fully endorse these sentiments and hope that the British movement will be involved in this important development. IN A number of so-called though they do not know how the to solve the problem of the The losses that society will and undoubtedly have to bear, but short term, are of no concert to them What makes this state Attairs even more serious is the fact that our opponents hoki Ine levers of power tor toc line being.
Everywhere the anti-suclear movement is confronted with the problem of trying to alter in a decisive way the relationship of foros, which remains at the JIM FALK is a leader of the Australian movement | progress. against uranium mining and co-author of Red Light for Yellowcake — a definitive study of the dangers of uranium. He was in London recently and talked to and who can see that it Australia witholds its uranium on volved, this will have serious fuel cycles around the What about the position of the Australian labour movement. the Laboar Party and the trade unions?
The Australian Labour Party Last year changed its position on uranium. They had previously been in favour of uraniut atioing, and on 7 July they adopted torium on uranium mining unIll the hazards that are associ ated with nuclear fuel cycle had been completely solve The reason that policy was aclopted was massive pressure from the rank and file.
On 15 November the biannual Conference of the Aistralian Council of Trade Unions passed a motion. It was the main issue of the Conference.
The right-wing trade unions put up a motion that uranium en- miling be allowed to po ahead That was defeated by about 5 to The left-wing unions por up a motion that an indefinite moratorium should he agreed to.
That was defeated by a reasonable margin, but the executive Who are pro uraniunt mining where forced to pur up a fairly strong anti-uramium and it was the motion that was carried.
The Government would be given the following ultimatiura that they must agree to within two months: that there be a 12 during which there would be a At the end of 12 months there wond beareterendom and the unions would abide by the reThe Government has already announced it would not have a referendum. The motion went on to say that if the Government refused the referendum, ACTU would reconnend to is members that all labour withdrawn from uranium mining, the buikling of uranium mines, and die uranium and the recommendine and consulting present time unfavourable to *That is why it is necesary to address ourselves working class and the trade until now has, in its majority, remained outside the anth nuclear struggle. radioactive it appears to us that an improvement in this relation laboration berween tbe ditterof UNITY It is bot necessary to dera here the fact that, despite the disagreements and competition between countries and nenis, toe nuclar brocrane is the work of an enemy which has wide-ranging international One union, the Waterside Workers Federation, which has already taken action on nuciear of mass rank and file meetings, have they will not handle Australian mines, past 15 November.
What is your attitude to the referendum?
We have consistently taken Te boston that a telerend on the issues is the wrong way The companies would pour A BIR DE BE SHOEBC - links.
the which up day demonstrations establishments requires construction tonal pout of unity.
This demund conti- the disposal of waste. year oT a 510,000 fine.
This includes Jum mining.
materials for the TEN TETELL movement? themselves a not aimed OuT opposition can be We believe that consciousness of the need for international be simulated by a concrete action.
This could be an international of action marked by organised simultaneously in several cities Morcover, we believe that the demand for a general halt to La moratorium COUEEMISHLULEWI MAN oflers the advantage of relevance to those outside the active anti-nuclea movement, and addresses itself to the wresolved problem of radioactive We should discuss whether or Such not the international day of could land them in jail for a all strators. writing or It is speaking about stopping urancocouraging others to withdraw labour from the supply of materials lor supply of materials for uran Il is true that the Australian police have been told to collect mames and addresses of people Act. involved in the anti-uranium The Prime Minister announc- campaign? ed that he called on all Australsan police to collect dossiers on SHIP: action could and should be OTELICE CARDITST GETTIN Key projects of the international Mactor programme proposal, if it is i supposco to launch a serious anti-uraniums demonwell known that the Special Branch and other parts ot me porce and scuret pole do keep files on activists of one SOLO SEDUCT SHUILIS TELL HEI the call by the Prime Minister had two motivations: to intimidate demonstrators and to provide dossiers for the implementation of the Atomic Energy Have you been able to get much international support for your We don't regard it that way It's our part in thar. must be prepared in an open an democratic manner. This why we propose it lot the autumn of 1978, or even later.
We will be able to convene a two day meeting in Switzerland June which will allow delegates from different move ments and organisations 10 decide upon the principle of this international day of action.
technica organisation and content.
This addressed without exception to all organisations of the nuclear movement, and more broadly to the movement for defence of the environment, regardless of their particular Mandpoint.
The National Coordinution of Swiss Anti-Nudeur Organisations, round, so it's a difficult guest. ion. We regard our campaign as support for the international The argument for keeping ground is not that you will that way stop nuclear power. There is going to be a uranium gluc because of the success of the anti-nuciear movement around But by keeping our uraniu in the round we support those movements in other parts of the world which are successfully stopping the nuclear fuel cycle SOCIALIST CHALLENGE 27 April 1978 page 11