Tasmanian dam campaign

Abstract

This campaign on the Southern Island state of Tasmania, is not only concerned with saving one of Australia's most beautiful wild rivers, but also one of the last great wilderness areas left on earth. Before detailing a few of the campaign aspects, a quick, and extreme- ly simplified analysis of the dramatic success of the fight would show achievement based on widespread grass roots support. The majority of Australians did not want the dam to proceed, and they said so. Modern day environmental history has never gripped the public's imagination to such a degree, and that was the campaign to stop the development of uranium mines in Northern Australia, and the export of its products. Both campaigns pinned their final hopes on a change of Government and consequential change of policies. The uranium issue failed to oust the Fraser Liberal Government; mining and exports went ahead, and the movement seemed to dissipate after the re-election.