Saturday, 28 April, 2007

AP

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has promised to remove all excessive restrictions on the mining, processing and exporting of uranium.

"In light of the significance of global climate change and as the world's largest holder of uranium reserves, Australia has a clear responsibility to develop its uranium resources in a sustainable way - irrespective of whether or not we end up using nuclear power," Howard said in a statement Saturday.

The PM said his government had been advised Australia was giving up a major economic opportunity as a result of excessive barriers on uranium mining and export.

"I am announcing today a new strategy for the future development of uranium mining and nuclear power in Australia," he said.

"The government will implement this strategy to increase uranium exports and to prepare for a possible expansion of the nuclear industry in Australia."

Australia's Green Party leader Bob Brown maintains, however, nuclear power is not the answer to climate change.

"It's a bomb of a policy from Howard because Australians simply don't want a dangerous nuclear future for their children," Brown said.

"People are concerned about the future wellbeing and security of their families and this is the wrong direction."

Australia holds 36 percent of the world's low cost uranium reserves and is a major exporter of uranium but does not maintain a broadly active nuclear power industry.