The Hon Ian MacFarlane, MP  Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water

31 March 2010

RUDD GOVERNMENT FURTHER ISOLATED WITH URANIUM  BAN HYPOCRISY

The depths of the Rudd Government’s hypocrisy on uranium exporting have been  laid bare following the finalisation of a key plank of the agreement for the United  States to supply nuclear fuel and technology to India.

“While these negotiations have been completed, the Rudd Government continues to  isolate Australia from what should be one of our most valuable trading markets,”  Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources Ian Macfarlane said.

“Inexplicably, the Rudd Government persists with its refusal to sell uranium to India  under the same conditions and safeguards that it has agreed to supply uranium to  China.

“The United States has brokered a deal that ensures the materials it exports will be  used only for peaceful domestic purposes and the process will be overseen by the  International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Yet the Rudd Government has stubbornly refused to reassess its ban on exporting  uranium to India, despite mounting evidence that its position is untenable.

“In refusing to adopt a practical policy the Rudd Government is locking Australia out  of one of the world’s most lucrative uranium markets.

“Australia has extensive reserves of uranium and in India we have a potential trading  partner whose appetite for clean energy sources will only keep growing.

“As long as the Rudd Government persists with its export ban Australia will remain  out of step with the international community and will forgo the significant economic  benefits of an enhanced trading relationship with India.”





