News on the Steritech anti-irradiation camp-out Qld: Irradiation protest stays AAP NEWSFEED, January 21, 2003 By John Sheed Protesters who have set up camp opposite the site of a proposed food irradiation plant north of Brisbane have demanded the Queensland government provide a statement of legal reasons why they should leave. The protesters have spent seven months camped across the road from the controversial Steritech food irradiation plant at Narangba and were last week issued with a government order to leave the site by 8am (AEST) yesterday. About 100 demonstrators prepared for expected police action to evict them by chaining themselves in holes dug in the ground or to pipes set in concrete. But the deadline passed without any action, leaving the protesters claiming a victory. However, a spokeswoman for acting State Development Minister Stephen Robertson said there had never been any intention of "storming" the camp and the department was now exploring its options with government legal officers. Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future spokeswoman Robin Taubenfeld said today the protest would continue. "We have a right to protest and the (State Development) department has been asked to supply a statement of its legal reasons why we should leave," Ms Taubenfeld said. "The department allowed us to set up this protest here and if this move to close us down is just on a request from Steritech it's not legal. "We are not going to be moved because of a corporate whim." Qld: Irradiation protesters vow to stay put By John Sheed AAP NEWSFEED January 20, 2003 Protesters today defied a deadline to leave a camp opposite a proposed food irradiation plant just north of Brisbane. The demonstrators have spent seven months camped across the road from the controversial Steritech food irradiation plant at Narangba and were last week issued with a Queensland government order to leave the site by 8am (AEST) today. About 100 protesters were prepared for police action to evict them, with people up trees, on pole tripods and in holes dug in the ground, but the deadline passed with no police in sight. Spokeswoman Fran Jell said the protesters were determined to stay put. "I truly thought the police would be here in force today," Ms Jell said. "I can't speak for everyone on the site, but if the police come in and ask us to move I think everyone will just refuse. "The people feel very strongly about what is happening here." A spokeswoman for acting State Development Minister Stephen Robertson said there were no plans for police to "storm" the block where protesters are living in a makeshift camp resembling a castle. "The notice to quit was issued last week and they have ignored the deadline to leave, so it will now come down to legal action through the courts," the spokeswoman said. A spokesman for Deception Bay police who visited the site briefly said no direct police action was being planned. Ms Jell handed media representatives videotapes which she said contained pictures of cracks in the walls of the radiation containment area at the plant. She said the pictures were taken when protesters were able to enter the facility and see concrete walls that were to protect the community from the Cobalt-60 gamma radiation within. Ms Jell said the walls were to have been poured in one piece to ensure an affective shield but were instead poured in sections which could compromise its integrity. "How can the community be sure that its safety is not being compromised?" she said. AAP NEWSFEED, January 19, 2003 Qld: Battle lines drawn over food irradiation plant By Janelle Miles Protesters are preparing for a battle tomorrow, when a deadline expires for them to leave the site of a food irradiation plant being built near Brisbane. The protesters have spent the past seven months camped across the road from the controversial Steritech food irradiation plant at Narangba, just north of Brisbane. Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future (ENuFF) spokesman Robin Taubenfeld said the protesters were committed to maintaining their camp despite being issued with a "notice to quit" effective from 8am (AEST) tomorrow. Acting State Development Minister Stephen Robertson issued the notice last week. A spokeswoman for Mr Robertson said the minister would assess the situation after the deadline expired tomorrow. "I can't confirm what will happen after that," she said. Mr Taubenfeld said a recent investigation had found numerous cracks in the concrete of a radiation chamber which had been built on the Steritech site. "Protesters are resolved to standing their ground and are demanding a halt to the construction (and) a government inquiry into the cracks in the chamber," he said. The protesters were backed today by Democrats Senator John Cherry. "I actually believe the protesters have a point," Senator Cherry told AAP. "The government, in all the discussion about this and the action that's happening tomorrow, has never dealt with their core concerns which is the safety of irradiated food. "The European Parliament, based on the report of an expert committee, has decided only on December 17 that the health concerns about irradiated food are such that they've slapped a ban on any further approvals of irradiated food until more research is done." Senator Cherry called on the Queensland government to commission research on irradiated food before allowing such plants. The Steritech plant is due to be operating by the middle of the year. Police reinforcements had to be called to the site on Friday night after protesters allegedly tried to interfere with the plant, which is under construction. A police spokeswoman said three protesters were arrested and taken to the Redcliffe watchhouse. She said the men, aged 23, 34 and 42, faced a number of charges including serious assault and obstructing police.