Govt hits back at uranium stance criticism
The Western Australia Government has gone on the front foot over its opposition to uranium mining in the state, attacking a senior Liberal for advocating exports to developing countries such as Ethiopia.
Opposition Leader Colin Barnett says the state Government's attitude to uranium mining is straight out of the 1970s.
He told Parliament last night that Labor has turned its back on the mining industry and poorer countries.
"Why should we in the developed world deny developing nations for example Africa, Ethiopia, as nations, access to nuclear energy?" he said.
Environment Minister Mark McGowan says he is frightened by the prospect of uranium being exported to strife-torn countries like Ethiopia.
"It is dangerous, irresponsible and in years to come would be very much regretted by the rest of the world," he said.
Prime Minister John Howard yesterday labelled Labor's anti-uranium policy short-sighted.
Mr McGowan says the Government does not need to be lectured to by anybody.
Posted by: Oztralian 2006-04-05 |