Toxic waste a political football

The National Toxic Network has today criticised Environment Minister Peter Garrett’s decision to approve a permit to ship thousands of tonnes of Orica’s highly toxic HCB waste to Denmark for incineration.

“This is a cynical move two days out from an election while the Gillard Government is in caretaker mode,” says Dr Mariann Lloyd Smith of the National Toxics Network.

“He knows this dirty decision would get limited public scrutiny and media coverage. The caretaker Government shouldn’t be making such a significant national decision at this time,” she said.

“This is more about Peter Garrett shoring up the Gillard Government’s reelection prospects than it is about ensuring the toxic waste is properly disposed of,” she said.

“Despite the Danish government’s approval to accept the waste, the Danish community is furious and have indicated they will continue to protest and stop the ships from unloading their toxic cargo”.

“It’s ridiculous to say that Australia doesn’t have the technology to dispose of hazardous waste. We’ve done it before and we need to ensure that this toxic waste, and more to follow, is destroyed in Australia using real state-of-the art technology, not cheap and dirty incineration technology from last century,” she said.

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