Monday, 4 December, 2006

The Age

Three opposition MPs are backing a government push to take on the Labor states over their refusal to agree to an opening up of uranium mining.

A House of Representatives report on uranium, tabled in parliament, recommends that, at the next Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) meeting, the federal resources minister "encourage state governments to reconsider their opposition to uranium mining".

It also wants the minister urge the states to abolish legislative restrictions on uranium mining and exploration.

The report is by the 10-member House Standing Committee on Industry and Resources, which includes Labor MPs Michael Hatton, Dick Adams and Martin Ferguson.

In the report's foreword, Committee chairman Liberal Geoff Prosser pointed out that the committee had been unanimous in its view on opening up uranium mining and exports.

"It is notable that on such an historically controversial subject as uranium mining and exports, the committee has produced a unanimous report," he said.

"All members are agreed that the present restrictions on uranium exploration and mining are illogical, inconsistent and anti-competitive.

"Restrictions have impeded investment in the industry and have resulted in a loss of regional employment and wealth creation opportunities, royalties and taxation receipts.

"The committee concludes that state policies preventing development of new uranium mines should be lifted and legislative restrictions on uranium mining should be repealed."

The report backs the argument for Australia to grow its current uranium exports, saying the nation has the ability to help ease the global warming problem by supplying the fuel to uranium-hungry countries.

"The committee wholeheartedly agrees with a submitter who stated that through its supply of uranium `Australia should throw the world a climate lifeline'," Mr Prosser said.

In an effort to address community concern about nuclear issues, the committee has suggested a number of ways to address misinformation and public ignorance about nuclear matters.

The committee recommended beefed up measures to protect nuclear workers, as well as a renewed effort to boost nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

It also wants further examination of how Australia could benefit from its uranium resources, including the establishment of facilities for uranium conversion and enrichment.

"The committee further recommends that such examination take account of full life cycle costs and benefits of the proposed facilities," the report said.