Fed: PM announces nuclear plan

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2007
Fed: PM announces nuclear plan

CANBERRA, April 28 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today promised to remove all excessive
restrictions on mining, processing and exporting of Australian uranium as a possible step
to embarking on domestic nuclear power generation.

Mr Howard said expert advice to the government clearly showed Australia was giving
up a major economic opportunity as a result of the excessive barriers on uranium mining
and export.

He said a key theme of that advice was that Australia should do what it could to expand
uranium exports and remove unnecessary barriers that were impeding efficient operation
and growth of the industry.

"In light of the significance of global climate change and as the world's largest holder
of uranium reserves, Australia has a clear responsibility to develop its uranium resources
in a sustainable way - irrespective of whether or not we end up using nuclear power,"

he said in a statement.

Mr Howard said nuclear energy was a fact of life and a key source of clean energy in
30 countries across Europe, Asia and North America.

It already supplied 15 per cent of the world's electricity and was set to grow.

"I am announcing today a new strategy for the future development of uranium mining
and nuclear power in Australia," he said.

"The government will implement this strategy to increase uranium exports and to prepare
for a possible expansion of the nuclear industry in Australia."

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KEYWORD: NUCLEAR HOWARD 2ND LEAD

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