Karina Lester Urges Australia to Sign Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons

Photo of Karina Lester

Published by NITV

By Rachael Hocking – 10 FEB 2021

 

The daughter of anti-nuclear activist Yami Lester says we are one step closer to world peace as an international treaty banning the deadly weapons takes effect, but Australia is yet to sign on to it.

Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman Karina Lester was among those who welcomed the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which entered into force on January 22, but said more work needs to be done to ensure Australia signs on.

Ms Lester’s father was the late Yami Lester, a staunch anti-nuclear activist blinded during British weapons testing in Maralinga in South Australia in the 1950s – and someone she says was a “big inspiration” for an international Treaty.

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Barngarla Continue Fight Against Plan to Dump Nuclear Waste on Country

protest against the waste dump. Community members gather with a giant inflatable radioactive waste barrel

Published by NITV
By Royce Kurmelovs-

By Royce Kurmelovs – 29 JUL 2020

Barngarla mob say they were not properly consulted by federal government for plans to store radioactive waste on Country at Kimba in SA, and that their concerns continue to be ignored.

Barngarla mob say they were not properly consulted by federal government for plans to store radioactive waste on Country at Kimba in SA, and that their concerns continue to be ignored.

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Much at stake for Barngarla Country

Anti nuclear protestor holds sign reading:"Stop cultural genocide of the world's oldest living culture"

Michele Madigan 28 July 2020

In the present world wide climate of Black Lives Matter when some governments/states are changing significant processes for the betterment of all, how is our own country fronting up when it comes to competing interests regarding land and culture? ‘Quite badly’ is the assessment that comes to mind in examining Barngarla Peoples’ recent reply to the Department of Resources, the federal department charged by government with the establishment of the national radioactive waste dump/facility (NRWMF).

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Barngarla Ballot Statement

Placards reading: "Barngarla people say NO to nuclear waste."

Results of Barngarla ballot regarding National Radioactive Waste Management Facility

After being excluded from the Kimba Council ballot, the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (“BDAC”) recently engaged Australian Election Company, an independent ballot agent, to conduct a confidential postal ballot of BDAC members regarding the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (“NRWMF”). The ballot paper asked members:

Do you support the proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility being located at one of the nominated sites in the community of Kimba?

Of 209 eligible voters (all of whom are Barngarla native title holders), 83 cast valid “No” votes.

Zero “Yes” votes were returned.

This unanimous “No” vote demonstrates that there is absolutely no support at all within the Barngarla community for the NRWMF.

BDAC has written to Minister Canavan advising him of the result. BDAC has requested that given the first people for the area unanimously have voted against the proposed facility that the Minister should immediately determine that there is not broad community support for the project.

In light of this total rejection of the NRWMF by the Barngarla people, it is BDAC’s responsibility to continue to give voice to the profound concerns Barngarla traditional owners have regarding the NRWMF, and to take whatever steps are necessary to oppose the NRWMF being located on Barngarla Country.

Regards

The Board

Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ICN 8603