protestors as Ziggy spruiks to the suits : Melbourne Indymedia

At 12.30 today, with as little publicity as possible, Ziggy Switkowski began his Australian speaking tour to promote the nuclear industry. The guests, paying $80 a head for lunch, and to hear Ziggy, were mainly members of Rotary. The venue was The Sandown Racecourse annd Entertainment Centre. It was a well-chosen venue, away from inner Melbourne - very difficult to be reached by protestors on a working day.
Ziggy no doubt spoke on his most recent thme, which as that Australia itself probably doesn't need nuclear power plants, but does need to get on with expanding uranium sales. I do not know if Ziggy discussed the ANSTO proposal for LEASING uraium, (with return of nuclear wastes to the Northern Territory and South Australia, via Darwin).

Security men and police were positioned at the locked gates, screening all entrants.
About 30 protesters from the Westernport Action group, and from Nuclear Free Australia greeted Ziggy, (who went past as though they were invisible to him). The protesting against nuclear power, uranium mining, and the leasing of wastes, was similarly ignored by most guests, but surprisingly, a few gave "thumbs up" signals of support.

It is doubtful whether there will be such protests as Ziggy continues his spruiking tour, as the details of times and venues are hard to obtain. It may well be a case of "invited guests only" for Ziggy's future performances.

Ziggy must be prevented from expressing his views publicly. Protest action must include real attempts to stop him speaking to the mega-rich who can afford $80 per head to attend. Freedom of speech does NOT extend to those with different views to ours.

This isnt about denying free speech for people we dont agree with.

Its about making it as difficult as we can for the pro nuclear lobby to lay the groundwork for a nuclear future without any opposing views being presented.

This was a secret meeting with no differing views invited to participate.

The cars entering where full of local politicians, councillors and rich business people.

its clear that the nuclear industry is trying to make sure that is has the support of both major political parties and the top end of town amongsts what it considers to be its key political constituencies