Antinuclear

Past Queensland govt wanted uranium enrichment, and no federal control over uranium industry

the Queensland Government had told the
Commonwealth it wanted control over dealing with nuclear materials in
its state.

In a submission to the Federal Government on the Atomic Energy Act
1953, the Queensland Government argued any new legislation should
reflect the state’s right to control the minerals.

Caboolture was earmarked for Qld uranium plant by Joh, Caboolture News,
 Ava Benny-Morrison  1st Jan 2013 CABOOLTURE was
earmarked for a potential uranium plant by the Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Government, previously confidential cabinet documents have revealed.

The papers showed that a long-running, secretive investigation into a
plant in Australia identified Caboolture as well as Ipswich as
notional sites.

The Bjelke-Petersen Government had its vision for uranium exploration
in Queensland in full swing in 1982, pitching its interest to be home
of an east coast enrichment plant.

The details were revealed in 1982 cabinet minutes, released today
under a 30-year disclosure rule.

The cabinet documents reveal the Federal Government in 1980
established the Uranium Enrichment Group of Australia – a group of
four mining companies that agreed to undertake a feasibility study
into a uranium industry in Australia.

The UEGA put a low priority on Queensland being the home to any plant…..
Queensland Mines and Energy Minister Ivan Gibbs reported to cabinet
that the group had identified notional sites only in the Caboolture
and Ipswich-Boonah areas….. the Queensland Government had told the
Commonwealth it wanted control over dealing with nuclear materials in
its state.

In a submission to the Federal Government on the Atomic Energy Act
1953, the Queensland Government argued any new legislation should
reflect the state’s right to control the minerals. http://www.caboolturenews.com.au/news/caboolture-earmarked-for-qld-uranium-plant/1702414/

December 31, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | history, Queensland