Antinuclear

Australian government opposes any expansion of nuclear industry – Penny Wong

Wong said the federal government has made its position on the nuclear industry clear and it was also clear in opposing any expansion of the nuclear industry.

She said solar and wind powered energy should be considered, as should the potential for geothermal energy. “We do have these resources and we should use them,” she said.“We have an underinvestment in the energy sector.”

ENRICHING THE URANIUM DEBATE, Australian Mining, By Jessica Burke   9 May 2011“……Penny Wong recently warned South Australia against becoming involved in nuclear enrichment. The senior federal South Australian Minister and former climate change minister told ABC radio that enriching uranium or having power stations is “not the sort of vision I want for South Australia.”

The comments came after Mines Minister Tom Koutsantonis and former Treasurer Kevin Foley called for the expansion of Australia’s nuclear industry.

The massive, BHP-owned Olympic Dam is located in South Australia, and Koutsantonis said he would be in favour of the government supporting the uranium sector and will argue for a greater emphasis on nuclear power in Australia……

Experts and lobbyists have said it could be some time, if ever, before a uranium enrichment industry is a possibility in Australia.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann has been consistently opposed to nuclear power stations and any nuclear enrichment industry.

Wong said while she disagrees with Koutsantonis’ views on uranium enrichment, she does believe he is asking the right questions about South Australia, in terms of its future and the standard of living.
“But nuclear enrichment is not the way to go,” she said.

“We don’t need nuclear power in this country where we have an abundance of renewable energy resources,” she said.

“This is not the sort of vision we need for this state.”

Wong said the federal government has made its position on the nuclear industry clear and it was also clear in opposing any expansion of the nuclear industry.

She said solar and wind powered energy should be considered, as should the potential for geothermal energy.

“We do have these resources and we should use them,” she said.
“We have an underinvestment in the energy sector.”

…… Mines Minister Koutsantonis would not advocate using nuclear power in Australia, but has called for a uranium enrichment plant in South Australia.

He said the community should “passionately support the uranium industry”, while Foley believes “Australia should embrace nuclear power.”

Both ministers said the government should welcome debate on the issue, rather than being scared by it, but South Australian Premier Mike Rann says he will not be drawn on the issues.

May 10, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, South Australia | South Australia