|
DJ UPDATE: Australian PM Howard Defends Nuclear Inquiry
(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)(Adds government comment, background)
By Barbara Adam
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
CANBERRA, Jun 07, 2006 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) --Australian Prime Minister John Howard Wednesday denied his nuclear inquiry has a hidden agenda, as industry groups and environmentalists criticized the scope of the probe.
Howard's nuclear taskforce, to be headed by former Telstra Corp. (TLS.AU) chief executive Ziggy Switkowski, will examine the economics of expanding Australia's uranium mining sector, becoming involved in uranium enrichment and establishing a domestic nuclear power industry.
Australia holds 40% of the world's known low-cost recoverable uranium, although the continent's vast coal and natural gas deposits have so far made nuclear power uneconomic.
There is only one nuclear facility, a research reactor in Sydney's south, and none of the output from the nation's three uranium mines is enriched or reprocessed.
"We as a nation for generations have lamented the fact that we had the finest wool in the world but we sent it overseas to be processed," Howard told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.
"If there's a viable, economic, safe alternative, I don't want the same thing to be said in future generations about our uranium."
The gas, coal and renewable energy sectors accused the government of limiting the scope of the nuclear review, while environmental lobby group Greenpeace labeled it a diversion.
"The prime minister's nuclear agenda is a diversion from the government's lack of action on climate change and more about his desire to export uranium to China and India," Greenpeace chief executive Steve Shallhorn said.
India sought access to Australia's uranium during Howard's visit to the subcontinent in March. Howard refused the request and has since said he has no plans to change the government's policy of only exporting uranium to countries, such as China, that have signed the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.
Howard shrugged off the criticism of the review's terms of reference, saying it wasn't a push for nuclear energy to replace coal, gas, wind and solar energy.
"You can, in this area, walk and chew gum at the same time," he said. "I think the people who are reacting negatively just should calm down and understand that if we're to have a secure energy future we should look at all of the options."
Switkowski, who holds a doctorate in nuclear physics, also denied the taskforce has a hidden agenda or that he is pro-nuclear power.
"My riding instructions are very straightforward," he said.
"The prime minister has published the terms of reference, he and his advisers have formed a taskforce, we have been given resources and a timetable. I expect to be able to lead this taskforce objectively and we'll deliver against the terms of reference," Switkowski said.
Howard also said it is premature for possible sites of nuclear power stations to be discussed, as this will be up to investors in such facilities.
Australia, which last year produced about one-fifth of the world's uranium output, at present exports all the uranium produced by the country's three mines.
Rio Tinto PLC (RTP), BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) and San Diego-based General Atomics each own one of the mines. Canada's SXR Uranium One Inc. (SXR.T) owns the approved but as yet undeveloped Honeymoon project.
The government announced the remaining three members of the nuclear taskforce, who will work alongside Switkowski, Reserve Bank of Australia board member and economist Warwick McKibbin and Australian National University physicist Professor George Dracoulis.
The new appointees are chairman of the Radiation Health and Safety Council Sylvia Kidziak; Dulhunty Power Ltd. chairman Martin Thomas and former supervising scientist at Environment Australia Arthur Johnston.
"These appointments provide a well-rounded, highly experienced and balanced taskforce that will allow for an objective and highly professional review of the complex issues outlined in the terms of reference," Howard said in a statement.
The review is to be completed by the end of 2006.
-By Barbara Adam, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-6208-0901; barbara.adam@dowjones.com
-Edited by Ian Pemberton
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
06-07-06 0358ET
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
Find Solutions for Enterprises, SMBs & Service Providers at the INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference and EXPO West, September 16-18, 2008. Los Angeles, California.
