Chapter 5

IMPACT OF URANIUM MINING & MILLING ON ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES

Especially in the Northern Territory the recent phase of uranium mining and milling directly affects Aboriginal communities more than any other group in Australian society. Aborigines also have a strong interest in the Olympic Dam Operation and Aboriginal communities in Western Australia likewise feel that the proposed mine at Kintyre will seriously affect their way of life.

These concerns extend well beyond health and safety matters. Under various laws in the Northern Territory, Aboriginal communities are involved in decisions about exploration and the terms upon which mining occurs and continues, particularly protection of sacred sites. Aboriginal communities also benefit directly from uranium mining and milling through receipt of royalty equivalent payments.

It needs to be stressed that in many respects conditions applicable to mining and milling of uranium are similar if not identical to those applicable to any other form of mining. The effects of uranium mining and milling on Aboriginal communities have been addressed to some extent in chapter 4 on health and safety matters.

In response to its public notice concerning the Committee's establishment, the Committee received four submissions from Aboriginal organisations and individual Aborigines. All these organisations and individuals were invited to give evidence at a public hearing. Other organisations such as land councils were expressly informed of the Committee's establishment and invited to contact the Committee about any matters relevant to the inquiry. In addition, the Committee, while in the Northern Territory, was invited to meet other Aboriginal groups for discussion and in each instance these invitations were accepted.

Several other submissions also raised matters relating to Aboriginal concerns about uranium mining and milling. These included P. Milton (S 9); G. Mudd (S 34); F. Millar (S 35); Friends of the Earth (S 40); Northern Territory Green Party (S 41); Australian Conservation Foundation (S 80); Environment Centre NT Inc. (S 84); and Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future (S 93).

The Committee itself visited the Alligator Rivers region during its inquiry. In the course of that visit the Committee members present, the Chairman, Senator Chapman, together with Senators Margetts, Bishop and Macdonald, had extensive private discussions with Aborigines, covering, among other things, the impact of increased European presence in the Northern Territory; the general impact of mining development, and its advantages and disadvantages; the different opinions about these developments among Aboriginal communities; the implications of tourism development; requirements for infrastructure development; and the general impact of development on traditional Aboriginal culture and recognition that this has many sources apart from uranium mining.

Committee members present were briefed on a range of concerns including alcohol abuse, family breakdown, the role of parental discipline, the adequacy of education, the decline of education of both Aboriginal boys and girls, and the indifferent if not antagonistic attitude of the Northern Territory Government.

The Committee's research on the impact of uranium mining and milling on Aboriginal communities, including submissions received and public evidence, is contained in a comprehensive paper by Irene Wilson, published in Volume 2 of this report. This chapter draws on Ms Wilson's research paper and should be read in association with it.