Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam will address 6,000 people
tomorrow, Monday 4 August, gathered in Hiroshima to mark the 63rd
anniversary of the nuclear attack on Japan.

“To be in Hiroshima is a great honour.  I am deeply saddened and
moved, and also greatly inspired by the stories of the hibakusha, the
survivors of the atomic bombing,” Senator Ludlam said.

“We must do everything we can to amplify their story, their message,
their cry for an end to nuclear weapons. I share the dream of the
hibakusha, and I join their call:  Never again! No More Hibakusha! No
More Hiroshimas! No More Nagasakis!

The Australian Greens welcome the International Commission on
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament announced by Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd after he heard the stories of the hibakusha.

“The Australia and Japanese governments are working together towards a nuclear weapon free future,” Senator Ludlam continued.

“Australia and Japan can begin this effort by taking their own
advice.  If we want the nuclear weapon states to put down nuclear
weapons, we must also find the courage and the trust to put down the
nuclear umbrella.

“By remaining under the US nuclear umbrella, our countries use
nuclear weapons, as symbols, as part of security policies, and as part
of our national identities.

“We can continue to have alliances, but let those alliances be
between equal sovereign states, and let those alliances be nuclear
weapons free.

“In my country there is much suffering, sickness, and environmental
damage from uranium mining.  All nuclear dangers start with uranium
mining.  There is no safe level of radiation.  There are much safer
ways of generating electricity,” Senator Ludlam concluded.

Prior to Senator Ludlam’s visit, the last Australian politician in
Hiroshima was Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the first serving western
leader to lay a wreath at the shrine in Hiroshima’s Peace Park.