Thursday, 11 May, 2006

by Senator Lyn Allison
The Democrats

Uranium sales to India would seriously undermine the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and should be ruled out, Democrats Leader Senator Lyn Allison said today.

"Australia should not risk this important treaty and our international reputation for a few extra uranium dollars and the approval of the US," Senator Allison said.

"India is a nuclear weapon state that is in direct conflict with international disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation laws. India has also secretly diverted civil nuclear technology to use in developing nuclear weapons.

"If Australia agrees to sell uranium to India without having signed the non-proliferation treaty this will open the floodgate for other nuclear weapons states to argue they should also buy our uranium.

"Selling uranium to India will create further tensions between India and Pakistan and potentially embroil Australia.

"As with China, it will be unlikely that the Government can guarantee that uranium sold to India would not be used in nuclear weapon development.

"The Australian Government greed at the expense of global stability and nuclear non-proliferation is irresponsible.
"Australia should instead be helping India make the transition to a clean energy future," said Senator Allison.