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AUSTRAL I A  CON SERVATBCg  F 0 u w P A T  i 0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE w.acfonline.org au

11 August, 2005

ATTENTION: Political, Resource and Environment Reporters

Uranium Industry Framework is Toxic Tunnel Vision

The opersttioiial irnpucts w d  security and environmenlal coiwequcnces or Australia’s  uranium industry are set to come under incrcassed scrutiny as the federal governmcnt moves  to kt-track the promotion or the cclntraversial sector7 ACF said today.

The new uranium Industry Francwork, outlined today by rederd resources niiiiister Iari  Macfmkme, acknowledges ‘%there are significant challenges facing &he industry in this  country”.

The Framework, criticised by ACF and other envirorurrcnlal groups as a partisan industry  advocacy proccss, is taking place 3gains1 the backdrop of an unprecodented w d  heavy  handcd fcderaI government push to expand thc uranium sector.

a “Thc federal govenunent speaks of a 'partnership' with Statc and Ten-itory govcmnients and yet oiie week ago broke with decadcs oP conveiition ,and cooperation with its contested  attempt to bulldoze the N’1‘ governmenl’s opposition to rurther uranium mining,” said ACF  nuclear campaigner David Noonan.

Somc of the %piticant challenges” facirig iin expanded uranium industry in Australia  include:  0 continuing deep conmiunity conceiii and opposition to nuclear projects

0 a track record ofnon-compliance and poor perfkrmaucc at existing mines

the failure of urCmiimm rebqlations to protect workm and the environment  0 increased concerns about radioactive waste miiiageinent, security, tei-inrisni nncl

nuclear proliferation dircclly related to Australian ulaliurn cxports  state and territory government opposition to fi~itlicr uranium mining  thc federal govemmcnt’s credibility gap on nuclear issucs like the’NI‘ uranium  licensing grab and broken promises on radioactive waste clumping

“Despite thc govcrnment’s assurances the Australian ur;uiium industry rcrnains contested,  controversial and contaminating,” said Dave Noonan.

“Thc fedei-al government’s atomic ambitions pose a grave risk and arc a dangerous  disCraction to meeting the real chdlcngcs of clean energy and grezdiousc pollution”.

Further information and cornmcnt:

David Noonan: (08) 8232 2566 or 0408 821 058  Dave Sweeney: (03) 9345 11’30 or 0408 317 812

