Australian Prime Minister John Howard has expressed the government's intention overturning national laws banning the nuclear industry, according to Britain's The Times.
Howard said that the law, which prevents the construction of atomic power plants, is preventing the country from reacting adequately to global warming.
Howard had earlier favored a national referendum on the construction of atomic energy stations. Now, however, he is saying that there is no need for a referendum, since surveys show broad public support for the development of nuclear power generation.
The Times noted that the development of nuclear energy is a key issue for the party currently in power and for politicians planning to run for election this autumn. The opposition is opposed to the use nuclear power in the country. If the government plan is implemented, 25reactors will be built in Australia by 2050.
Australia to end ban on nuclear power plants: report
Australia will end its ban on nuclear power stations as part of a push to boost its uranium mining sector, Prime Minister John Howard said Saturday.
Howard's announcement steals some of the thunder from the opposition Labor Party's national conference, which was due later Saturday to debate overturning its "no new mines" uranium policy, in place since the 1980s. Australia has about 36% of the world's low-cost uranium reserves but meets a little over 20% of global demand.
Labor's "no new mines policy" is considered an impediment to investment in the industry and an expansion of production by the current three uranium mines. Of Australia's three mines, BHP Billiton (BHP :48.84, -0.08, -0.2% ) is assessing an expansion of Olympic Dam in South Australia, which could triple uranium production to 15,000 tons a year, making it the largest producer in the world.
"Policies or political platforms that seek to constrain the development of a safe and reliable Australian uranium industry and which rule out the possibility of climate-friendly nuclear energy are not really serious about addressing climate change in a practical way that does not strangle the Australian economy," Howard said.
Howard said that the law, which prevents the construction of atomic power plants, is preventing the country from reacting adequately to global warming.
Howard had earlier favored a national referendum on the construction of atomic energy stations. Now, however, he is saying that there is no need for a referendum, since surveys show broad public support for the development of nuclear power generation.The Times noted that the development of nuclear energy is a key issue for the party currently in power and for politicians planning to run for election this autumn. The opposition is opposed to the use nuclear power in the country. If the government plan is implemented, 25reactors will be built in Australia by 2050.
Australia to end ban on nuclear power plants: report
Australia will end its ban on nuclear power stations as part of a push to boost its uranium mining sector, Prime Minister John Howard said Saturday.By Barbara Adam
"The expert advice that my Government has received clearly shows that Australia is giving up a major economic opportunity as a result of the excessive barriers that have been put in place to prevent uranium mining and export," Howard said in a statement.
Howard has been pushing for a domestic nuclear power industry as part of Australia's response to climate change, even though federal laws currently ban nuclear activities.
"The expert advice that my Government has received clearly shows that Australia is giving up a major economic opportunity as a result of the excessive barriers that have been put in place to prevent uranium mining and export," Howard said in a statement.
Howard said he will direct his ministers and government departments to start work immediately on developing a regulatory framework, a skills base and a public relations campaign to allow the expansion of the uranium sector. His conservative government will also make a "firm commitment" to Australia's participation in the Generation IV advanced nuclear reactor research program, he said.
Howard's announcement steals some of the thunder from the opposition Labor Party's national conference, which was due later Saturday to debate overturning its "no new mines" uranium policy, in place since the 1980s. Australia has about 36% of the world's low-cost uranium reserves but meets a little over 20% of global demand.
Labor's "no new mines policy" is considered an impediment to investment in the industry and an expansion of production by the current three uranium mines. Of Australia's three mines, BHP Billiton (BHP :48.84, -0.08, -0.2% ) is assessing an expansion of Olympic Dam in South Australia, which could triple uranium production to 15,000 tons a year, making it the largest producer in the world.
General Atomics' operates the Beverley uranium mine and Energy Resources of Australia Ltd. (ERA.AU : 0.00, 0.00, 0.0% ) , a unit of Rio Tinto Plc (RTP :244.00, -2.39, -1.0% ) , operates the Ranger mine. London-listed SXR Uranium One Inc. is developing the Honeymoon mine, which will be Australia's fourth uranium mine.
"Policies or political platforms that seek to constrain the development of a safe and reliable Australian uranium industry and which rule out the possibility of climate-friendly nuclear energy are not really serious about addressing climate change in a practical way that does not strangle the Australian economy," Howard said.
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