Like it or not, PM will deliver nuclear power
Sunday, 29 April, 2007
Sunday Telegraph
Mr Howard announced yesterday he would free up legal restrictions on nuclear power and uranium mining to allow private companies to develop a home-grown nuclear industry.
He said there was no need for a referendum because the public's attitude to nuclear power had clearly changed.
"We're not planning to have a referendum. The opinion polls seem to have shifted - people are not so hostile," Mr Howard said after his address to the Victorian Liberal State Council in Melbourne.
The Federal Government would not be involved in building nuclear power stations, and their location around Australia would be based on private-sector decisions, he said.
"I'm not mandating it (nuclear power). We're just beginning the process of removing discrimination in relation to nuclear power."
As for the location of reactors or enrichment plants, Mr Howard said: "That will be determined by economic decisions made by companies."
At the same time, Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said it would take at least 10 years to build a reactor and that one would not be up and ready before 2020.
As Labor debated abandoning its three-mines policy in Sydney, Mr Howard attempted to seize control of the nuclear agenda.
Under a 1999 environmental law, nuclear power is banned in Australia.
The Prime Minister said Australia was losing out economically by not exploiting its uranium industry, and that when clean-coal technology pushed up the price of coal-based energy, nuclear power might become more economical.
Mr Howard would not put a figure on how much of Australia's electricity needs could be supplied by nuclear power.
"It's impossible to put a figure on it, or how the market moves," he said.
Mr Howard committed Australia to take part in the development of a fourth-generation nuclear reactor.
As well, he said he would take immediate steps to reduce regulations on the expansion of uranium mining and on the transport of uranium ore.
Other steps include the development of a nuclear energy regulatory regime, a focus on creating skilled nuclear power workers, and more research and development.
Labor treasury spokesman Wayne Swan lashed out at the Prime Minister's nuclear policy.
"It's just a stunt. It's playing politics with Australia's energy security," Mr Swan said.
"There are serious matters here. He has sat on his hands for 11 years on dangerous climate change.
"Now he expects people to believe he's got a new plan to deliver power from nuclear energy in a couple of years.
"It's not economic for this country, nor is it desirable. We have enormous reserves of gas and coal."