Wednesday, 5 September, 2007

by Katharine Murphy
The Age

RUSSIA is a safe destination for Australian nuclear fuel, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has declared, before the signing at APEC of a landmark safeguards agreement with Moscow.

Mr Downer confirmed yesterday that a nuclear agreement allowing Australian uranium to be used as fuel in Russian nuclear reactors would be signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But it remains unclear whether Australia will conclude a deal with the US, in which Australia would join an alliance of countries known as the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.

Prime Minister John Howard and US President George Bush are expected to discuss nuclear issues during their meetings.

But Australia has difficulties with full membership of GNEP because it could involve Canberra having to make politically sensitive commitments, such as agreeing to store radioactive waste from the rest of the world.

Full membership could also see limits placed on the Howard Government's ambitions to develop a domestic nuclear power industry, including new facilities to enrich yellowcake for use in future nuclear plants.

Officials have been exploring alternatives that would resolve Australia's sensitivities but allow Australia to become a more influential nuclear player.

The issue of nuclear power has become very sensitive in the lead-up to the federal election, with Labor campaigning strongly on it in coastal electorates.

Green groups and some analysts have expressed concern about the Government's decision to pursue a more broad-ranging nuclear agreement with Russia.