Sunday, January 7, 2007. 9:00am (AEDT)
Greens fear federal intervention on WA uranium ban
Politics: The Western Australian Government has policy against nuclear mining
A Greens Senator says the Federal Government should make its intentions clear on whether it will try to override Western Australia's policy against nuclear mining.
There is further pressure on the State Government to drop its ban on uranium mining after the Commonwealth signed a deal to allow Australian yellowcake to be shipped to China.
Acting Premier Eric Ripper is concerned that a recent High Court decision could allow the Federal Government to force nuclear power on the states.
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert says the Commonwealth needs to show its hand. "I'm certainly concerned about what the Federal Government's intentions are, and if I was in the State Government I would certainly be trying to find out what the Commonwealth Government's specific intentions are," she said.
Senator Siewert says WA should maintain its ban. "[I am] deeply concerned that there will be pressure put on the WA Government to change its very strong position against uranium mining," she said. "I must say that that's a stand that we very strongly support and we're calling on the State Government to maintain the stand opposing uranium mining."
A spokeswoman for federal Resources Minister, Ian MacFarlane, says uranium bans are costing WA money and the Federal Government continues to encourage the WA Government to repeal its legislative restriction on uranium mining
