The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC), the national social justice and human rights agency of the Australian Bishops, has issued a statement expressing support and affirmation for the Mirrar people in their opposition to the development of the uranium mine at Jabiluka.

Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Ms Sandie Cornish, said that the Council’s statement was based on respect for the Mirrar people and their consistent stance against uranium mining on their land. ‘The Mirrar people have a unique relationship with the land at Jabiluka. They have stated that their cultural integrity depends on the integrity of the land, and that this will be destroyed by the mine.’

‘The Council also felt strongly that proceeding with Jabiluka would undermine the process of reconciliation, which is widely supported around Australia.’

‘Environmental considerations were a secondary but important factor in the Council’s considerations’, said Ms Cornish. ‘Environmental matters today are regarded by the Church as being matters of moral concern, and we regard proceeding with the mine at Jabiluka as being morally unacceptable.’

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