Antinuclear

Uranium conference in Adelaide hears govt enthusiasm for nuclear power

Key MPs back expansion of nuclear industry in South Australia | Adelaide Now,  Christopher Russell and Sarah Martin,  March 22, 2011 TWO senior Rann Government ministers have backed the expansion of Australia’s nuclear industry.Former treasurer Kevin Foley yesterday said Australia should embrace nuclear power.

Mineral Resources Development Minister Tom Koutsantonis, while falling short of advocating nuclear power to be used in Australia, called for uranium enrichment plants in South Australia.Mr Foley said: “I believe Australia should embrace nuclear power.” Mr Koutsantonis said the community needed to “passionately support the uranium industry”…….
Mr Koutsantonis yesterday addressed members of the industry at the Paydirt Uranium 2011 conference being held at the Hilton Hotel…….
Chief executive of the Australian Uranium Association Michael Angwin said the industry was pleased by Mr Koutsantonis’s enthusiasm but enrichment would be a big step.

Several conditions would need to be in place for a proposal to go ahead including bipartisan support, consensus between the Commonwealth and states, regulation changes, the building of expertise and a solid business case.

“You would also have to meet the challenge of the broad view among governments of the world that for non-proliferation reasons we shouldn’t expand the number of enrichment facilities,” he said.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons does not ban expansion of enrichment technology to new countries but major players, including the US, discourage it.

Asked whether he would take a proposal to the ALP’s federal policy-setting conference in December, Mr Koutsantonis said he always wanted to be heard.

“I am a passionate advocate and I have always let my views be known within the ALP,” he said.

Key MPs back expansion of nuclear industry in South Australia | Adelaide Now

March 22, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | marketing for nuclear, South Australia | South Australia