No uranium exports to nuclear states: green group
Carl Curtain
ABC NT Country Hour
The Federal Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Treaties is currently investigating all of Australia's nuclear-related treaties, including Australia's uranium export treaties.
The committee is in Darwin today to hear from interested parties but the NT Environment Centre was the only organisation to put forward a submission.
Nuclear spokesman Justin Tutty says Australia's uranium export agreements have an impact on the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
"We've laid out the strong historical link between civilian nuclear power facilities and states gaining nuclear weapons capabilities."
He also highlighted the export agreements between Australia and China and says they have particular significance for the Northern Territory.
"We've had one trial shipment from Ranger mine in Kakadu go out to China."
But the NT Environment Centre recommended that no uranium should go to nuclear weapons states.
"It appears through this process that the useful first step would be to require importers of Australian uranium to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
"So far China has refused to sign that treaty.
"A news poll survey conducted last year showed two-thirds of Australians don't believe Australian uranium should go to nuclear weapons states."
He says China is an undemocratic and repressive state.
Mr Tutty also says the new drilling operation started the Angela Pamela Uranium Mine this week is a bad decision and they will be monitoring its progress all the way.
"It's certainly very disappointing to see this unpopular project pushed through despite huge public opposition in Alice Springs."
The committee is in Darwin today to hear from interested parties but the NT Environment Centre was the only organisation to put forward a submission.
Nuclear spokesman Justin Tutty says Australia's uranium export agreements have an impact on the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
"We've laid out the strong historical link between civilian nuclear power facilities and states gaining nuclear weapons capabilities."
He also highlighted the export agreements between Australia and China and says they have particular significance for the Northern Territory.
"We've had one trial shipment from Ranger mine in Kakadu go out to China."
But the NT Environment Centre recommended that no uranium should go to nuclear weapons states.
"It appears through this process that the useful first step would be to require importers of Australian uranium to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
"So far China has refused to sign that treaty.
"A news poll survey conducted last year showed two-thirds of Australians don't believe Australian uranium should go to nuclear weapons states."
He says China is an undemocratic and repressive state.
Mr Tutty also says the new drilling operation started the Angela Pamela Uranium Mine this week is a bad decision and they will be monitoring its progress all the way.
"It's certainly very disappointing to see this unpopular project pushed through despite huge public opposition in Alice Springs."