Wednesday, 9 August, 2006

by Senator Lyn Allison
The Democrats

Australian Democrats Leader Senator Lyn Allison said expanding exports of uranium to new markets risks Australia compromising its opposition to proliferation of nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

"Australia is compromising on safety if it considers uranium trade with any country that has not ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and does not have an active policy of nuclear disarmament," Senator Allison said.

The Democrats today gave notice of motion calling on the Senate and the Government to both expand and enforce restrictions on the end use of Australian uranium and to withdraw uranium export agreements with nuclear weapons states that do not commit to a timeframe for total nuclear disarmament.

"The Government is forging ahead with plans to increase uranium exports having encouraged a fivefold expansion at Roxby Downs and wrested control of the Northern Territory's uranium resources. This is a risky and misguided path to take in the current context of ongoing terrorism," Senator Allison said.

"Australia must not compromise on uranium safeguards. We must ensure that all nuclear weapon states we export uranium to have a concrete commitment to eliminating all nuclear weapons. If we compromise on non-proliferation and disarmament, as a significant exporter of uranium, we are passively supporting the continued existence of nuclear weapons. If Australia is serious about ridding the world of weapons of mass destruction we must do all we can to limit access to the uranium used in their manufacture."

Australia is the second largest uranium exporter and home to most of known world reserves. Olympic Dam alone has 48% of global uranium deposits. The Australian Democrats have long held significant doubts about the effectiveness of controls governing the use of Australian uranium.

"We require a much tougher stance if we are to achieve a nuclear-free world. The Australian Government must continue to press for the global dismantling of nuclear weapons and efforts to stop the development of more weapons can begin in Australia with tough restrictions on uranium mining," Senator Allison concluded.