Friends of the Earth Australia

MEDIA RELEASE 28/02/08

Nuclear reactor reversal is a welcome first step

The federal Coalition’s reversal of its aggressive pro-nuclear position and the new political consensus against nuclear power as an energy option for Australia has been welcomed today by Friends of the Earth.

“This is good news for the Australian community and environment and a tribute to the tireless campaigning around Australia to promote a future free from nuclear threats,” said Friends of the Earth spokesperson Michaela Stubbs. “This positive step is vindication of the broad community opposition to the spread of the nuclear industry in Australia.”

 
“It also removes a dangerous diversion from the important task of developing a sustainable and effective response to the challenge of climate change”.

 
A report in today’s Age newspaper has confirmed that the shadow cabinet has formally dropped its earlier support for domestic nuclear power and former Prime Minister John Howard’s controversial push for 25 nuclear reactors by 2050.

 
Prior to the 2007 federal election the Coalition vowed to push ahead with plans to override state and territory laws in order to impose nuclear reactors and facilities on unwilling communities.

 
There is now bipartisan recognition that nuclear power is too dangerous, too expensive and is unwanted by the community.  We should therefore stop foisting these problems on the rest of the world through mining and export of uranium.

 
“This policy U turn should be start of a wider nuclear policy review for both the Coalition and federal Labor,” said Michaela Stubbs.

 
“Both now agree that there is no role for nuclear power in Australia – the important next step is for both to acknowledge that there is also no place for the mining and export of uranium, the contaminating fuel that makes nuclear power possible”.

 
Further info and comment:
Michaela Stubbs      0429 136 935           
                                   03 9419 8700