Saturday, 5 August, 2006

by Denis Peters
AAP

THE Federal Government is undermining international efforts to control the spread of nuclear weapons, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said today.

The ACF has singled out the government's proposed nuclear co-operation treaty for uranium exports to China for special criticism.

"Australia's push for expanded uranium exports is throwing fuel onto potential atomic fires and further regional insecurities across the globe," ACF nuclear campaigner David Noonan said in a statement.

His comments come on the eve of Hiroshima Day, which commemorates the atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city on August 6 1945, that helped end World War II.

"The Hiroshima disaster is a stark reminder of the reality and risks of nuclear weapons," Mr Noonan said.

"Now is simply not the time for Australia to pursue the uranium dollar ahead of a clean and secure world for all."

Mr Noonan said proposed uranium exports to China could facilitate diversion of China's limited uranium supplies into their continuing nuclear weapons program, further regional insecurity and increase nuclear risks including unresolved nuclear waste management.

"Wherever nuclear materials are used, there are direct connections with the threats of nuclear weapons and radioactive waste," he said.

However, another leading environmentalist takes an opposing view.

Environmental scientist Tim Flannery said yesterday that Australia should be prepared to take the world's nuclear waste if it is to be one of the world's largest uranium suppliers.

By doing so, Australia would reduce the risk of a nuclear holocaust, he said.

The climate change author and former South Australian Museum director said research by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed one of the safest sites in the world for a nuclear waste dump was Officer Basin in the South Australian-West Australian desert.

Greens leader Bob Brown said this revelation showed neither the Government nor the Labor Opposition was being honest about their uranium intentions.

"Both Prime Minister Howard and Labor Leader Beazley want open-slather uranium exports," he said.

"But neither is being honest with Australians. They know their policy will lead to our country becoming the world's nuclear waste dump."

Senator Brown said Dr Flannery had made it clear that Australia, by going all-out nuclear, would only reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by one per cent.

"It is a stupid proposition for our nation," he said.

"Where Tim dips out is in failing to mention energy efficiency which can provide much more power for Australia, more cheaply and with more jobs than nuclear."

Senator Brown said "Mr Beazley should admit that the price of Labor going all out for uranium exports was a giant waste dump with attendant nuclear shipping, port facilities and cross-continent waste transport.

Mr Beazley wants next year's Labor national conference to endorse a new party platform which would impose stringent safeguards on uranium use and exports, but allow new mines to open.

Parliament will hold an inquiry into the China export treaty soon.