RADIOACTIVE WASTE AND AUSTRALIA'S ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

Abstract

The treatment of Australia's Aboriginal people by the nuclear industry (broadly defined as private- and public-sector agencies pursuing uranium and nuclear projects) is a poorly researched topic. That is not merely a gap in the academic research on related topics (the history of the nuclear industry in Australia; the history of race relations in Australia; etc.), but it has “real world” consequences. Put simply, the paucity of information about the mistreatment of Aboriginal people makes it easier for nuclear interests to repeat past practices; and conversely, proper documentation and publication of past (and current) practices detrimental to Aboriginal people can make it more difficult for nuclear interests to repeat those practices. Over the past decade Friends of the Earth Australia (FoE) has sought to partially remedy the information deficit in the context of its work with Aboriginal communities involved in debates regarding uranium mining and proposed radioactive waste repositories (the author works for FoE). One thread of that work is the growing body of multimedia work (and a Master's thesis) by FoE member Jessie Boylan covering the legacy of the atomic bomb tests, uranium mining and waste repository proposals (see <www.jessieboylan.com>). Another thread of the project is detailed written documentation of past and present incidents of mistreatment of Aboriginal people by nuclear interests (as well as multimedia presentations of this material – see, for example, <www.australianmap.net>). This article builds on that research and focuses on attempts to impose radioactive waste repositories on the land of unwilling Aboriginal communities in South Australia.

Keywords:

• Aboriginal
• Australia
• racism
• nuclear
• uranium
• nuclear waste
• radioactive waste

disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 Australian Government, “New Indigenous Protected Area Creates Opportunities for Yappala Community,” 22 Jan. 2014, <www.indigenous.gov.au/new-indigenous-protected-area-creates-opportunities-for-yappala-community> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

2 Laura Murphy-Oates, “Adnyamathanha People Gear-Up to Save their Land from Nuclear Waste Dump,” NITV News 6 May 2016, <www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-news/article/2016/05/06/adnyamathanha-people-gear-save-their-land-nuclear-waste-dump> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

3 Scribe Archeology, VYAC Yura Malka. Cultural Landscape Mapping of the VYAC Yappala Group of Properties, Draft Report, Aug. 2015, <www.foe.org.au/sites/default/files/VYAC%20Yura%20Malka_V0b.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

4 Viliwarinha Aboriginal Corporation and the Anggumathanha Camp Law Mob, “Statement from Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners: Help us Stop the Nuclear Waste Dump in the Flinders Ranges!,” 27 Nov. 2015, <www.foe.org.au/sites/default/files/Adnyamathanha%20statement%2027%20Nov%202015.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

5 Murphy-Oates, “Adnyamathanha People Gear-Up to Save their Land from Nuclear Waste Dump.”

6 Australian Government, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF), Phase 1, Summary Report, Apr. 2016, <www.radioactivewaste.gov.au/sites/prod.radioactivewaste/files/files/Phase%201%20Summary%20Report%20FINAL_0.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

7 Ibid.

8 Jillian Kay Marsh, “A Critical Analysis of the Decision-Making Protocols used in Approving a Commercial Mining License for Beverley Uranium Mine in Adnyamathanha Country: Toward Effective Indigenous Participation in Caring for Cultural Resources,” Ph.D. thesis, Department of Geographical and Environmental Studies, U of Adelaide, 14 May 2010, <https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/67247/8/02whole.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

9 Jillian Marsh, “Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners Will Fight Nuclear Waste Dump Plan,” Media Release, 29 Apr. 2016, <www.foe.org.au/flinders> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

10 Australian Broadcasting Corporation, “Indigenous Owners Appeal to Minister’s ‘Human Side’ to Shelve Proposed Nuclear Waste Site,” 26 May 2016, <www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4470183.htm> (accessed 26 Dec. 2016).

11 Department of Education, Science and Training, “Communication Strategy: Announcement of Low Level Radioactive Waste Site in SA,” 2002. See also Friends of the Earth, “Michels Warren and Nuclear Waste Dumping in SA,” n.d., <www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/nontdump/mw> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

12 Department of Education, Science and Training, “Communication Strategy: Announcement of Low Level Radioactive Waste Site in SA.”

13 United Nations, “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” Mar. 2008, <www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

14 West Mallee Protection, “Submission to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission South Australia,” 14 Aug. 2015, <http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/app/uploads/2016/03/West-Mallee-Protection-14-08-2015.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

15 ARPANSA Inquiry Public Hearing, 25 Feb. 2004, <http://web.archive.org/web/20040610143043/www.arpansa.gov.au/reposit/nrwr.htm> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

16 Senate Hansard, 30 Oct. 2003, p. 16813, question 2118.

17 ARPANSA forum transcript, 17 Dec. 2001, <http://web.archive.org/web/20060826193328/www.arpansa.gov.au/rrrp_for.htm> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

18 Environment Australia, Environmental Assessment Report: Proposed National Radioactive Waste Repository (Canberra: Environment Australia, 2003) 43.

19 Penelope Debelle, “Anger over Native Title Cash Offer,” The Age 17 May 2003, <www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/16/1052885400359.html> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

20 Ibid.

21 ARPANSA inquiry public hearing, 25 Feb. 2004, <http://web.archive.org/web/20040610143043/www.arpansa.gov.au/reposit/nrwr.htm> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

22 Debelle, “Anger over Native Title Cash Offer.”

23 Nick Minchin, Media Release – Minister for Finance and Administration, 7 July 2003.

24 “Irati Wanti,” <http://web.archive.org/web/20080718193150/http:/www.iratiwanti.org/home.php3>. See also Friends of the Earth, <www.foe.org.au/kungkas> (both accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

25 Senate Resolution, “Brown, Eileen Kampakuta,” 5 Mar. 2003, p. 9277, <http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansards%2F2003-03-05%2F0095;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F2003-03-05%2F0000%22> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

26 Finn Branson and J.J. Finkelstein, “Compulsory Acquisition – Radioactive Waste,” 24 June 2004, <www.nntt.gov.au/News-and-Publications/hotspots/Documents/Hot%20Spots%2010/South%20Australia%20v%20Honourable%20Peter%20Slipper.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

27 Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta, “We are Winners Because of What’s in Our Hearts, Not What’s on Paper,” Aug. 2004, <http://web.archive.org/web/20080720065153/http:/www.iratiwanti.org/iratiwanti.php3?page=news&id=244&start=0&year=2004> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

28 Information on the project is posted at <www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/britbombs/clean-up> (accessed 19 Sept. 2017).

29 Report of the Royal Commission into the British Nuclear Tests in Australia, 1985: Conclusions and Recommendations, <http://archive.foe.org.au/sites/default/files/Royal%20Commission%20conclusions%2Brecs.pdf>; vol. 1: <www.industry.gov.au/resource/Documents/radioactive_waste/RoyalCommissioninToBritishNucleartestsinAustraliaVol%201.pdf>; vol. 2: <www.industry.gov.au/resource/Documents/radioactive_waste/RoyalCommissioninToBritishNucleartestsinAustraliaVol%202.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

30 A number of Parkinson's articles, submissions and videos are posted at <www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/britbombs/clean-up> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

31 Alan Parkinson, Maralinga: Australia's Nuclear Waste Cover-Up (Sydney: ABC 2007, 2007).

32 ABC Radio, 5 Aug. 2002.

33 ABC Background Briefing, 16 Apr. 2000, “Maralinga: The Fall Out Continues,” <www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/maralinga-the-fall-out-continues/3466242> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

34 Dale M. Timmons, “Comments on MARTAC Report,” 3 Apr. 2003, <http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/30410/20090218-0153/www.geocities.com/jimgreen3/martac.html> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

35 Peter Johnston, submission to ARPANSA inquiry into proposed repository in SA, 2004, <www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/britbombs/clean-up> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

36 P.N. Johnston, A.C. Collett, and T.J. Gara, “Aboriginal Participation and Concerns throughout the Rehabilitation of Maralinga,” presentation to the Third International Symposium on the Protection of the Environment from Ionising Radiation, Darwin, 22–26 July 2002, 349–56, <www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/CSP-17_web.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

37 Senate Estimates, 3 May 2000, <http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Festimate%2F977%2F0011%22> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

38 Senate Resolution, “Environment: Maralinga Test Site,” 21 Aug. 2002, p. 3480, <http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F2002-08-21%2F0087%22;src1=sm1> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

39 Senate Resolution, “First Atomic Test: 50th Anniversary,” 15 Oct 2003, Senate Hansard, p. 16538, <http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F2003-10-15%2F0125%22> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

40 Philip Dorling, “Maralinga Sites Need More Repair Work, Files Show,” The Age 12 Nov. 2011, <www.theage.com.au/national/maralinga-sites-need-more-repair-work-files-show-20111111-1nbpp.html> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

41 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Report, May 2016, <http://yoursay.sa.gov.au/system/NFCRC_Final_Report_Web.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

42 ABC, “Australia Must Have a Rational Discussion about Nuclear Industry, Says SA Premier Jay Weatherill,” The World Today 19 Mar. 2015, <www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2015/s4200643.htm> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

43 Anggumathanha Camp Law Mob, “Submission to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission,” 4 Sept. 2015, <http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/app/uploads/2016/03/Anggumathanha-02-09-2015.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

44 See the numerous statements of opposition posted at <www.anfa.org.au/traditional-owners-statements/>. See also relevant submissions to the Royal Commission (http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/submissions/?search=Submissions), including the following: Frank Young (Amata community member); Mike Williams, Mimili community; Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara; Bobby Brown; James Brown; Campbell Law; Kaurna; Anggumathanha Camp Law Mob; Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation; Frank Young. Submission from Representatives of Native Title Parties: Antakirinja Matu Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation; Dieri Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC; Irrwanyere Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC; Narungga Nations Aboriginal Corporation; Nauo Native Title Claimants; Ngadjuri Nation Aboriginal Corporation; Yankunytjatjara Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (YNTAC); Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka Traditional Land Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Separate Native Title Representative submission dated 10 Sept. 2015.

45 Tauto Sansbury and Karina Lester, on behalf of Native Title groups, submission to Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, <http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/app/uploads/2016/03/Native-Title-Representative-10-09-2015.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

46 Adelaide Congress Ministry, 18 Aug. 2016, <www.facebook.com/adelaide.congress/posts/604440683059431> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

47 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Report 125.

48 Ibid. 126.

49 Government of South Australia – Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Consultation and Response Agency, “Kulintjaku nuclear-tjara. Radiation, Nuclear Waste and Geological Disposal,” 2016, <http://assets.yoursay.sa.gov.au/production/2016/09/12/02/29/03/13e9eaef-a51c-4776-8ee2-9c21a7e6ef31/APY%20Fact%20Sheets%20Radiation%20and%20Disposal.pdf> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

50 The full statement and list of signatories is posted at <www.anfa.org.au/traditional-owners-statements/> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

51 Peter Johnston, verbal submissions to ARPANSA inquiry into proposed repository in SA, 2004, <www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/britbombs/clean-up> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

52 Idem, written submission #256 to ARPANSA inquiry into proposed repository in SA, 2004, <www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/britbombs/clean-up> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

53 Marsh, “A Critical Analysis of the Decision-Making Protocols used in Approving a Commercial Mining License for Beverley Uranium Mine in Adnyamathanha Country: Toward Effective Indigenous Participation in Caring for Cultural Resources.”

54 Anggumathanha Camp Law Mob, “Submission to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission.”

55 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Report 128.

56 Parliament of South Australia, Hansard, “Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratification) (Amendment of Indenture) Amendment Bill,” 24 Nov. 2011, <https://hansardpublic.parliament.sa.gov.au/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-10-8440> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

57 Ibid.

58 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Report 128.

59 Ibid. 90.

60 Jillian K. Marsh, “Decolonising the Interface between Indigenous Peoples and Mining Companies in Australia: Making Space for Cultural Heritage Sites,” Asia Pacific Viewpoint 54.2 (2013): 171–84, <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/apv.12017/full> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

61 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Report 126.

62 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Consultation and Response Agency, Nov. 2016, Community Views Report 19, <http://assets.yoursay.sa.gov.au/production/2016/11/11/09/37/34/0c1d5954-9f04-4e50-9d95-ca3bfb7d1227/NFCRC%20CARA%20Community%20Views%20Report.pdf> (accessed 24 Dec. 2016).

63 Ibid. 9.

64 South Australia's Citizens' Jury on Nuclear Waste Final Report, Nov. 2016, <http://assets.yoursay.sa.gov.au/production/2016/11/06/07/20/56/26b5d85c-5e33-48a9-8eea-4c860386024f/final%20jury%20report.pdf> (accessed 24 Dec. 2016).

65 SA ABC Radio 891, 15 Nov. 2016.

66 Daniel Wills, “Citizens’ Jury Overwhelmingly Rejects Nuclear Waste Storage Facility for South Australia,” The Advertiser 7 Nov. 2016, <www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/citizens-jury-overwhelmingly-rejects-nuclear-waste-storage-facility-for-south-australia/news-story/8340c103234775fffcf9b88b2aea6906> (accessed 24 Dec. 2016).

67 Idem, “Premier Jay Weatherill Effectively Buries Nuclear Waste Dump Proposal with Vague Promise of Statewide Referendum,” The Advertiser 14 Nov. 2016, <www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/premier-jay-weatherill-will-hold-referendum-on-potential-nuclear-waste-industry-in-south-australia/news-story/c5ee0bcf003c0a5000867674c5b03236> (accessed 24 Dec. 2016).

68 No Dump Alliance, “Weatherill has Turned his Back on Traditional Owners over Waste Dump,” Media Release, 14 Nov. 2016, <http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/international-waste-plan-dumped-referendum-on-a-road-to-nowhere/> (accessed 24 Dec. 2016).

69 Ibid.

70 Wills, “Premier Jay Weatherill Effectively Buries Nuclear Waste Dump Proposal with Vague Promise of Statewide Referendum.”

71 Ibid.

72 Josh Butler, “Turnbull and Shorten Prove Opponents Can Unite on Racial Tolerance,” Huffington Post 10 Oct. 2016, <http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/10/10/turnbull-and-shorten-prove-opponents-can-unite-on-racial-toleran_a_21577909/> (accessed 19 Sept. 2017).

73 AAP, “Turnbull Mirrors Howard with Motion Denouncing Racism in Australia,” 10 Oct. 2016, <www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/10/10/turnbull-mirrors-howard-motion-denouncing-racism-australia> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

74 Jason Tin, “Bill Shorten: ‘Systemic Racism’ Still Exists in Australia as there’s no Agreement about how the Country was Taken from Aboriginal People,” The Advertiser 27 May 2016, <www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/federal-election/bill-shorten-systemic-racism-still-exists-in-australia-as-theres-no-agreement-about-how-the-country-was-taken-from-aboriginal-people/news-story/74a22ae56cf9b44339b718300a27462e> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

75 Parliament of Australia, Department of Parliamentary Services, Bills Digest no. 52, “National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010,” 25 Nov. 2010, ISSN 1328-8091, <http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/billsdgs/386090/upload_binary/386090.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf#search=%22r4472%22> (accessed 21 Oct. 2016).

76 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Report 237.