Memories made of this, PM

Jennifer Chapman | 4th November 2009

FLEETING it may have been, but anti-Traveston dam protesters believe their meet and greet with Kevin Rudd yesterday can still have a lasting effect.

Kevin Rudd addresses the health forum at Hervey Bay Hospital yesterday.

Alistair Brightman

FLEETING it may have been, but anti-Traveston dam protesters believe their meet and greet with Kevin Rudd yesterday can still have a lasting effect.

Every time the Prime Minister sips his morning coffee from the ‘I Love Mary’ mug he was presented with yesterday, he just may be reminded of the controversy surrounding the proposed Traveston dam.

He may also think long and hard about the effects Queensland Labor Government plans may have on the south-east corner of his home state when he picks up his new ‘No Dam’ pen. And his memories of swimming in the Mary River may even be jogged every time he glances at his new Mary River book.

That would please protesters anyway, who gathered outside Hervey Bay Hospital yesterday morning to hand over the presents to the prime minister during what was a very brisk stop.

As Mr Rudd climbed out of his car to a pack of media he by-passed the hospital entrance to introduce himself to a group of anti-Traveston dam campaigners wearing their signature yellow t-shirts and holding their bright ‘Don’t Murray Our Mary’ placards.

Mr Rudd shook the hands of every protester waiting to highlight the dam’s problems before accepting the presents and giving slight hope with the words: “Don’t worry I’ve swum in the Mary I know it’s a beautiful place.”

The Prime then quickly turned and strode through the scrum of journalists and photographers as the quiet voice of Greater Mary Association research co-ordinator Tanzi Smith trailed behind.

But despite Ms Smith’s words not getting the attention she desired, the protest was still deemed marginally successful. “I think it was a good gesture that he came over and met everybody and he has said in the media before that he knows this is a big issue,” said Ms Smith.

“We’re here to remind him that the Fraser Coast cares about this issue as well and will be affected (and) to reiterate that the dam won’t increase Brisbane’s water security and that the Federal Government’s own policies on water would be much more sustainable.”

Ms Smith acknowledged under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act the decision on Traveston dam lay with Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett. But she said the group viewed Mr Rudd’s role as being able to influence Queensland Premier Anna Bligh in adopting other methods for water security.

“The one that would be most consistent with the ALP’s platform would be to continue a lot of programs that the Queensland Government had already and that they have stopped, like the rebate scheme for existing households.”