A report showing uranium mining would not threaten Queensland's coal industry has given Qld Premier Peter Beattie reason to reverse his strong opposition to it, putting pressure on WA Premier Alan Carpenter to do the same.
A report showing uranium mining would not threaten Queensland's coal industry has given Qld Premier Peter Beattie reason to reverse his strong opposition to it, putting pressure on WA Premier Alan Carpenter to do the same.
According to The Australian newspaper, a report commissioned by the government from the University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute has found uranium mining, and nuclear power, pale in comparison to the global demand for coal-fired electricity generation.
Mr Beattie is now expected to support an end to Labor's no new mines policy at the ALP national conference next month on the condition that it is only sold to countries that have signed the non-proliferation treaty.
Queensland is estimated to have up to $3.2 billion in uranium deposits.
Mr Beattie has been a staunch defender of Labor's policy not to allow more uranium mines because it would threaten the coal industry.
The state government also recently introduced legislation banning nuclear facilities.
Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said it was "about time" Mr Beattie put the interests of his state ahead of politics.
Speaking at a uranium industry conference in Adelaide, Mr Macfarlane said the Queensland premier needed to ensure that the opportunities already being exploited in other states were open to Queenslanders.
The minister also called on Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter to now drop his opposition to uranium mining.
He was joined by WA Opposition Leader Paul Omodei, who accused the Premier of keeping his head in the sand.
"It's time the Premier changed his stance on uranium mining so we can capitalise on an emerging world demand for one of our natural resources," he said in an announcement.
"It's also time for Alan Carpenter to acknowledge that uranium can play a major role in the battle against climate change by providing developing cournties such as China and India with an alternative clean fuel source."
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies spokesman Ian Loftus also welcomed Mr Beattie's change of heart, saying the industry would offer real benefits Queenslanders.
"With the ALP likely to debate a change to its uranium policy at its national conference next month, and with South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland looking to support uranium mining following change at the national policy level, it looks like there'll be lots of winners from an the growth of Australia's uranium industry," he said.
A spokesman for the Premier told WA Business News there would be no change in the Government's current policy.
The full text of a Governement announcement is pasted below
Premier Alan Carpenter has rejected Opposition claims that he has done a backflip on the issue of uranium mining.
Mr Carpenter said his opposition to uranium mining was as strong as ever.
Any change in Federal Labor's 'no new mines policy' at next month's ALP National Conference would have no impact on the State Government.
The Premier said the only political leader in Western Australia advocating a local uranium mining industry was the Liberal Leader Paul Omodei.
"As I said only this morning, there will be no uranium mining in WA as long as I am Premier," Mr Carpenter said.
"There are just too many question marks and too many risks associated with uranium mining and nuclear energy at this point of time.
"There is no doubt it would open the door for WA to become a dumping ground for the world's nuclear waste.
"In 50 odd years' time, if all the risks and concerns associated with nuclear power can be addressed, WA might then consider exploiting its uranium deposits for our own energy needs.
"In the meantime, my Government is committed to developing alternative renewable and clean energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal power.
"This is where I believe the real future is."
