Friday, 5 January, 2007

The Age

Australian Greens say selling uranium to China is a mistake which will fuel regional insecurity, and is calling on the foreign minister to rule out selling uranium to India.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced that Australia and China have ratified an agreement to permit the sale of Australian uranium from as early as this year.

"Selling uranium to China is a mistake with potentially catastrophic consequences," Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said in a statement.

"Prime Minister Howard has ignored serious concerns in paving the way for Australian uranium sales to China and he will bear responsibility for the consequences."

She said a report by Federal parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on the bilateral agreement to permit this trade last month highlighted serious shortcomings in safeguards, including deficiencies in the international inspection regime and the ability to ensure our uranium is not misused.

"The world doesn't need more uranium and nuclear power. Australia should be developing and selling clean and safe renewable energy technology to China, not adding to regional instability," said Senator Nettle.

"The Greens call on Foreign Minister Downer to rule out selling uranium to India, which is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."