Saturday, 18 August, 2007

by Prime Minister John Howard
Doorstop Announcement

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JOURNALIST:

Prime Minister on the question of uranium sales to Russia?

PRIME MINISTER:

Yes.

JOURNALIST:

What safeguards are there to prevent Russia from on-selling Australian uranium to rogue states?

PRIME MINISTER:

Well we haven't made any announcement in relation to Russia, but let me just say generally that we will only sell uranium to countries that enter into strong bilateral safeguard agreements, that are either signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or they enter into arrangements with the International Atomic Energy Agency that deliver the same safeguards as are provided under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But speaking in South Australia can I say that it's in the interests not only of Australia but of the state of South Australia that we sensibly exploit our uranium reserves. And I just find it extraordinary that the federal Labor Party is saying its okay to sell uranium to China, but it's not okay to sell uranium to the largest democracy in the world, which is India. I just find that an amazingly contradictory proposition. If you can get the same safeguards, why is it okay to sell to China but not okay to sell to democratic India which is the largest democr acy in the world?

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