Antinuclear

Electrical Trades Union national secretary Peter Tighe accused the Prime Minister of rewarding India for its “flagrant disregard” of international commitments…. The Left is opposed to any dilution of the party’s position on India, which has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty….. Mr Tighe said the decision was “alarming” and he would pursue the issue. “This policy shift has been sold as ‘modernising’ Labor’s position on uranium, but there’s nothing ‘modern’ about nuclear weapons or energy,” he said.

“We can have all the safeguards we like, but as soon as yellowcake leaves Australian shores, we lose control over it. India developed its nuclear capacity with no regard to international commitments. It is highly irresponsible to reward such flagrant disrespect of the international community with uranium supplies.

“The union is particularly concerned in the context of ongoing tension between India and Pakistan over the disputed regions of Jammu and Kashmir.”A recent meeting of the union’s divisional council passed a motion condemning the policy shift.

“This divisional council calls on all ALP delegates attending the ALP national conference to oppose any changes that allows any increase in sales of uranium,” it says. “Further, divisional council directs the divisional secretary to write to all ALP conference delegates . . . asking them to oppose any change to ALP policy.” Mr Tighe said nuclear power and energy had “horrific consequences” and Australia should “have no part in it”. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/union-digs-in-over-uranium-for-india/story-fn59niix-1226207507185