Climate Change Coalition Believes

Australia is one of the biggest per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters in the world. We should help restrict the world's temperature increase to less than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels by leading the way with emission reductions consistent with that global environmental objective. The Climate Change Coalition believes Australia must:

• Close all foreign nuclear bases in Australia.
• Withdraw from the ANZUS alliance until the nuclear weapon solution is abandoned. Oppose the Son of Star Wars.
• Prohibit the stationing in Australia or the passage through Australian waters or airspace of any nuclear weapons.
• Terminate immediately all mining and export of uranium, and repudiate all commitments by previous governments to the mining, processing and export of uranium.

Nuclear Energy:
The Democrats position on nuclear industries has been virtually unchanged for
30 years: we want a clean Australia free from uranium mining, nuclear reactors
and radioactive waste. We do so to protect human health and our environment
from the hazards of the uranium fuel cycle and from contributing to nuclear
weapons proliferation.
www.democrats.org.au/docs/ActionPlans/Environment_Nuclear_2007.pdf

• No new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights (or anywhere) and shut down the HIFAR reactor currently operating; invest in cleaner, safer technologies such as cyclotrons.
• No dumping of radioactive waste; waste producers to manage their own waste in secure, monitored facilities at their own expense.
• No nuclear waste dump for international commercial use in Australia;
• Close the operating uranium mines (Ranger, Roxby Downs, Beverley) and no new mines to be approved.

Resolutions passed at Liberal Party ederal Council, June 2-3, 2007.

23. Nuclear Power

That Federal Council believes that nuclear power is the most significant component of an immediate response to climate change and calls on the Australian Government to introduce a technical and regulatory scheme, including appropriate environmental and operation safeguards, and any other measures necessary for the development and provision of nuclear power on a market driven basis.

24. Nuclear Industry

Australian Labor Party uranium Policy (adopted April 2007)

(The April 2007 ALP national conference voted to drop the ALP policy of opposition to new uranium mines.)

Labor will only allow the mining and export of uranium under the most stringent conditions, as described below.

The Australian Greens will:

• 10. end the exploration for, and the mining and export of, uranium.
• 11. prohibit the processing and enrichment of uranium in Australia.
• 12. prohibit the import and export of nuclear waste and fuel rods.
• 13. prohibit the reprocessing of Australian nuclear fuel rods.
• 14. promote the development of non-reactor technologies for the production of radioisotopes for medical and scientific purposes.
• 15. close the nuclear facility at Lucas Heights.

National Party Policy Proposals (2006)

• Continuing the development of Australia’s mineral resources, including the mining and export of uranium under strict safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation controls.
• Supporting the development of a uranium enrichment industry in Australia.

Primary Industries

Australia's future development and wealth is heavily dependent on its ability to explore and develop its minerals and energy resources.

"It is clear that the outcome of the federal election will matter, particularly in the nuclear debate..."

Dr Switkowski, chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in The Australian September 28, 2007.