Rally today for a nuclear free Gippsland

What: Public rally and speeches from community voices opposing Peter Dutton’s nuclear proposal for the Latrobe Valley
Where: Kay Street (opposite plaza), Traralgon
When: Tue, 3 Dec, 10:30am – 11:30am

• Speeches (10:30)
• Photo op holding signs/banner (11:20)

An alliance of community and environment groups will rally today in Traralgon and hear from leading voices opposing Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton and the Liberal National coalition proposal to bring nuclear reactors to the Latrobe Valley.

The rally will take place outside a public hearing into nuclear power in Traralgon attended by community leaders, industry and experts. Federal MP for Gippsland, Darren Chester is among the Committee members overseeing the public hearing.

Adrian Cosgriff, spokesperson from Voices of the Valley, said:

“Baseload nuclear power for the Latrobe Valley is a fantasy. It is a fundamentally flawed concept and it won’t happen because the numbers just don’t stack up. The public needs to know about that, and instead, we need to be focusing on the real job opportunities that are here and happening today.”

Hayley Sestokas, Latrobe Valley campaigner for Environment Victoria, said:

“Nuclear is just not worth the risk – the risk of disasters like Fukushima and Chernobyl, the risk of cost and time blowouts. The risk of toxic waste and contamination, harming our families and prime farming land for generations.”

“For years, we’ve been working together to achieve the shift to clean, renewable energy, which is now underway, bringing benefits and creating good jobs. Dutton’s nuclear scheme, imposed on us with minimal information and no community consultation, risks setting us back by decades.”

Speakers at rally:

Adrian Cosgriff has worked in oil and gas heavy industry for over four decades, as an electrician and later in operations. As a proud union member, Adrian is passionate about jobs in our region and advocates for this through Voices of the Valley.

Dr. Margaret Beavis (OAM) is a former general practitioner with a strong interest in public health. She now teaches at Melbourne University, is Co-Chair of International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Australia, and former Vice-President of Medical Association for Prevention of War.

Electra Greene is a proud Kurnai Gunai and Monero woman. Electra is a cultural and environmental educator, growing understanding and unity through her workshops and art, both independently and in her role as an Organiser with Environment Victoria.

Dave Sweeney has been active in mining, resource and nuclear issues for four decades through his work trade unions and environment groups in Australia and overseas. He leads the Australian Conservation Foundation’s nuclear free campaign and is co-founder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.

*Environment Victoria has written a submission that will be presented at the Hearing – and can be viewed here.