THE role of cleaner-burning energy in Australia's future was highlighted yesterday, with the Federal Government providing $500 million for clean coal research.

They also pledged a small but symbolic amount to uranium miners.

As part of its first Budget, the Rudd Government said it would help fund the development of clean coal and advanced fossil fuel technology over the next eight years.

And as the national debate over low-emissions energy intensifies, the government also made a separate allocation of $10.6 million over four years for the safe management of Australia's abundant uranium resources.

The clean coal funding, which will be distributed through a newly-created National Clean Coal Fund, will support a range of projects that includes a $75 million clean coal research program, a $50 million post-combustion capture plant in the La Trobe Valley and a $50 million pilot coal gasification plant in Queensland.

It will also underpin a national carbon mapping program ($50 million), carbon capture and storage ($50 million), Australia's involvement in the international FutureGen Alliance ($15 million) and the China-Australia Clean Coal Co-ordination Group ($20 million).

Although much smaller in dollar value than the amount allocated to clean coal research, the money destined for the uranium sector is perhaps just as significant given the Labor Party's long-standing anti-nuclear position.

The funding is targeted at helping indigenous communities with traditional ownership of uranium mining and exploration tenements, cutting uranium transport costs and improving environmental and employee safety standards.

The clean coal funding forms part of a $2.3 billion budget for climate change measures, including the Government's election commitment to provide a domestic emissions trading scheme.

The health and safety measures for uranium workers include radiation safety training and the creation of a national dose register to record the radiological dose history.