MEDIA RELEASE

URANIUM

Statement by the Rt. Hon.  J.D. Anthony,  Acting Prime Minister and  Leader of the National Country Party

"In the Northern Territory the Labor Party has got the  political message and is trying to play down the question of uranium. In fact,  it is the most significant issue in the election campaign'!, Mr Anthony said in Darwin today.

"A.L.P. supporters claim it is a non-issue as if it is  just going to fade away. They say that the demand for uranium is  falling off, that the need for uranium is declining", Mr Anthony said.

Referring to reports that a slow down in nuclear power  stations ordering heralded a decline in demand, Mr Anthony said, "Such arguments imply that there is an alternative, that by some  miracle, the world can enjoy economic growth and at the same.time

either cut energy uses or find some new energy source".  .

"Assertions like this are gross irresponsibilities. If  there is one fact accepted by all the world ideologies, it is that  nuclear power generation is indispensable if we are to cover the  energy gap which will occur over the coming decades", Mr Anthony said.

He added, "Any slippage in nuclear power station construction  over the past few years has been as a result of economic uncertainty  and it is absurd to argue that this changes the basic facts".

’ .Quoting a recent study by the Organisation for Economic  Co-operation and Development, Mr Anthony said, "It is estimated that  by the turn of the century, the western world's installed nuclear .   generating capacity will increase from the 65 gigawatts of 1976

to at least 1,000 gigawatts and to as much as 1,900 gigawatts. This is equivalent to an annual usage of between one-third and  one-half of Australia's current known reserves.  Even by I9 60,, demand  for uranium will be almost double the 1976 level."

He said, "Every other country in the world with low cost  reserves of uranium is proceeding with development. Such countries  span the. whole range of political complexions - the Soviet Union,  France, Gabon, U.S.A.,  Canada, South Africa and others".

Mr Anthony continued,  "Although exploration has been minimal  up to this point, Australia's reserves are already estimated to be  among the most extensive in the world.  Countries which have initiated  or are planning huge expenditures on nuclear power stations must have

some, idea as to where their future fuel supplies will come from.   Australia has already delayed a decision on uranium mining and export  for six years and to opt for a further delay along the lines of  Labor policy is only going to jeopardise our position as a stable

future supplier".

He said, "For Australia to turn its back on the world's needs  would be viewed as an incredible decision by other countries and one  which would have grave consequences".  '

Darwin .  .

6th August 1977 .

