❓ The Minister outlines the potential impacts of uranium mining on regional WA, highlighting community opposition and environmental concerns, particularly regarding port cities and the nuclear fuel cycle.
AnsweredQoN 303Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the opposition’s support for uranium mining in Western Australia. Can the minister advise what would be the impact of the opposition’s plans on regional Western Australia? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and acknowledge - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and acknowledge - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and acknowledge - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and acknowledge - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question and acknowledge - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order! Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : The member for Geraldton has been very supportive of the shires and municipalities in his area that have been trendsetters in opposing uranium. Members might recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley was the first to declare itself nuclear free and incorporate within its town planning scheme a provision that would prohibit nuclear industries. Members might also recall that the Shire of Chapman Valley attempted to do that under the previous government, but was thwarted by the then Minister for Planning. However, because of our unequivocal stance on uranium mining, we supported the Shire of Chapman Valley. I understand that the City of Geraldton is also commencing the process of amending its town planning scheme. It makes absolutely clear to everyone in this Parliament and the community that these shires do not want nuclear industry or to be part of the nuclear fuel cycle. It is really important that we get members on the other side who are advocating our participation in the nuclear fuel industry to be clear about exactly which communities would be impacted upon. Some 25 significant uranium deposits have been identified in Western Australia. The biggest are, in order, Yeelirrie, Kintyre, Mulga Rock, Manyingee and Lake Maitland. The ports that could be targeted and the communities that would have to tolerate uranium being carried through their facilities would be Port Hedland, Dampier, Esperance and Broome. Of course, the one that is most likely to be affected is the port of Geraldton. We have had very clear indications from those communities that they do not want to be part of the cycle; however, if the opposition had its way, we would see that. I am sure that we are all very concerned that we might one day see a fish in Champion Bay that looks like the one in this picture - the great blinky fish. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Vasse!
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.