Wind farm forums
Senator John Madigan, DLP Senator for Victoria
Senator John Madigan will be holding a series of Public Forums on wind farms with the first one scheduled to be held in South Australia at the Clare Town Hall on January 24.
The Forums are being called after the Federal government’s failure to act on the seven recommendations published by the Senate Inquiry into Wind Farms in its final report of June 2011.
Senator John Madigan said the lives and health of the residents living near wind farms were being treated by the government as acceptable collateral damage. When it comes to corporations making huge profits and the government being seen to be achieving its renewable energy targets these communities come a distant last.
“State and Federal governments are not only wilfully ignoring the health and well being of residents around the country, but are now cutting off the rights of individuals and communities to be informed,” he said.
“We still don’t know all the risks and health effects involved with wind farms but more and more damning evidence is coming out and it is apparent the government does not care. They would rather turn their back on this growing problem and hope it goes away. Well it won’t.”
The Senate Inquiry into the Social and Economic Impacts of Rural Wind Farms received over a thousand submissions but gave only seven recommendations.
“None of these recommendations have been followed and it is clear the Government is hoping the inquiry and its findings will simply be forgotten.”
“Any members of the public or interested groups can raise matters of interest or concern relating to these recommendations. I will take submissions on issues arising from these concerns.”
“Every submission made in the public forums and every report received will be tabled in the Senate.”
“I have already called for a Senate Inquiry into the health impacts caused by wind farms. If the Government is not prepared to take this necessary action I will do all I can to fund an independent inquiry myself.”
“The health effects of wind farms are too important to be ignored.”
Senator Madigan will be following the Clare Public Forum with further forums in Victoria and New South Wales before returning to South Australia and Western Australia.
Media Contact Laura Methorst 0431 239 182
laura.methorst@aph.gov.au
Parliament House S1.24 02 6277 3713
Electorate Office Ballarat 03 5331 2321
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/wind-farm-forums/