Australia's nuclear debate 2004-07: [Paper in: The Nuclear Debate Re-visited. Eddy, Elizabeth (ed.).]

• Published in: Social alternatives Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 28 - 34
• Main Author: Green, Jim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Australia; Australia. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; Australia. Parliament. House of Representatives. Standing Committee on Industry and Resources. Australia's Uranium: Greenhouse Friendly Fuel for an Energy Hungry World; Australia. Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998; Australia: Politics and government; Energy Development; Energy Policy; Environmental law; Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP); Greenhouse effect; Howard government; Mining; Nuclear Energy; Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty; Nuclear weapons; Treaties; Uranium
• ISSN: 0155-0306

Since 2004 a significant political debate has unfolded regarding Australia role in nuclear fuel cycle activities. Rising uranium prices have driven a wave of uranium exploration and speculation, accompanied by ideological legitimisations focussed on the potential role of nuclear power as a climate change abatement strategy. Since mid-2006 the focus has shifted to the potential to expand into other nuclear activities, in particular uranium enrichment and nuclear power. The federal Liberal/National Coalition government has been a vocal advocate of uranium mining, enrichment, and nuclear power. The government's motives include: promoting potentially profitable ventures, distracting attention from its policies regarding climate change and renewable energy, and attempting to create or widen divisions within the Australian Labor Party and the environment movement. The introduction of an enrichment plant or nuclear power would give Australia, for the first time, the capacity to produce significant quantities of fissile material and therefore bring Australia far closer to a nuclear weapons capability. Adapted from the source document.