Greenpeace protests toxic waste export
By Leon Harrison
PERTH — Together with its South African and European affiliates, Greenpeace in Australia has condemned the recent export of toxic waste from Perth.
The Maria Laura, a Fremantle-registered ship, left Australia at the beginning of August on its way to France with 18 tons of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A permit to export the deadly cargo was approved by federal environment minister Ros Kelly.
Mike Collison from Greenpeace in WA told Green Left his organisation was totally opposed to the ship leaving.
The Maria Laura was turned back from Cape Town, South Africa, after environmentalists and unionists came together to protest against its entry into the port on August 16.
The Australian export permit expires in 4
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55D> months. When WA Greens Senator Christabel Chamarette raised the issue in federal parliament, she was told the current permit would not be extended.