Tuesday, 25 July, 2006

ABC NT Local News

Environmentalists are warning federal and Northern Territory Labor that any change to their 'no new uranium mines' policy will backfire at the ballot box.

The Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin has backed her federal leader Kim Beazley in his bid to expand the uranium mining industry.

They both say it is time to change Labor policy.

But Greenpeace's Danny Kennedy says nothing has changed in terms of the safety of nuclear energy or the storage of waste and he says the public agrees.

"They're flying in the face of public opinion in this country," he said.

"Most Australians know they don't want it because there are no solutions to the waste."

Energy Resources of Australia operates the Territory's Ranger Mine.

Its chief Harry Kenyon Slaney has applauded Mr Beazley and Ms Martin for going out on a limb.

"That's a courageous move on her behalf too and it just shows that this policy is under rigorous review," he said.

The policy will be debated at the next Labor party conference.