New polling shows twice as many Australians (62 per cent) are against exporting uranium to countries with nuclear weapons than are in favour (31 per cent). 

The Newspoll found 40 per cent of Australians are against the export of Australian uranium to any country for use in nuclear power plants for electricity generation, and a further 22 per cent are against the export of uranium to countries that possess nuclear weapons, even if those countries have signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).  

The survey of 1 200 adults, conducted nationally by phone between 31 October and 2 November for the Australian Conservation Foundation, found a majority of Australians in every state are opposed to uranium exports to countries with nuclear weapons or against any uranium exports at all. 

“These polling results show how deeply concerned and uneasy Australians are about uranium exports and the possibility that Australian uranium may contribute to nuclear weapons programs, even where those countries have signed the NPT,” said ACF nuclear free campaigner David Noonan. 

“Australia should not export uranium to any country that is not fully meeting its nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations.  Russia, China, the USA, the UK and France are all failing to meet their NPT nuclear disarmament obligations. 

“Women are more concerned about these issues than men, with 73 per cent of women against the export of uranium or the export of uranium to countries with nuclear weapons, compared to 51 per cent of men.