Saturday 8 April 2006
ABC NT Local News

The Federal Government says it is disappointed the Northern Territory Chief Minister has opted-out of the debate about the opening of more Australian uranium mines.

The Labor Party is currently discussing the future of its "three mines" policy, amid increased international demand for Australian uranium.

The Territory Chief Minister has refused to say whether she supports any change to the policy.

Federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane told Stateline that Clare Martin was also excluding herself from negotiations with the Commonwealth.

"I've encouraged the cooperation to continue between the NT Mines Department and Commonwealth as we move to grant approval for any new mine," Mr Macfarlane said.

"But in the end, the practical result of Clare making what is purely a political position out of this is that she will be simply put to one side and the process will continue to work without her."

Territory Mines Minister Kon Vatskalis says the Territory Government supports the current ALP policy of no new mines and will not be revising its stance until the party has made a final decision.

"It's only natural for members of the party to wait until the debate is completed, until the decision has been made, before a decision is made on a state and territory levels as long as they are Labor governments."