tuesday., page-7

THE Queensland Government is poised to allow uranium mining if Labor's national conference approves a change in its policy next month.

New miners and exporters would have to meet very strict standards, acting Premier Anna Bligh said.

The change of heart came after a government-commissioned report from the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland showed uranium mining would not threaten the state's coal industry.

The report found uranium mining and nuclear power paled in comparison to the global demand for coal-fired electricity generation.

A spokesman for Mr Beattie, who is on a trade mission to Africa, said the Premier had changed his strong opposition to uranium mining after the report showed it would not threaten Queensland's coal industry.

He is now expected to support an expansion of uranium mining at Labor's national conference at the end of April on the condition that it is only sold to countries that have signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Queensland has an estimated $3.2 billion in uranium deposits.

Mr Beattie has been a staunch defender of Labor's policy not to allow more uranium mines because it would threaten the coal industry and the State Government has recently introduced legislation banning nuclear facilities.

Ms Bligh, who has been a long-term opponent of the nuclear industry, said if Labor was to allow expanded uranium mining and exports she would ensure checks were improved.

"I certainly wouldn't want our government to be approving a new uranium mine until we were absolutely satisfied that every possible standard of safety and environmental protection had been met,'' she said today.

Ms Bligh said she would be supporting amendments to any motions put to the national conference which would enshrine safety measures.

"I think what you will see from conference (is that) there is a mood emerging that if there is any change to the policy, there needs to be a great deal of protection and caveats around that.

"So I don't think that if there is a change, we are about to see any open slather activity.

"Do I think that it is likely we will see some change to the policy? Increasingly, yes."

Environmental groups say they are outraged at the change of heart.

The Wilderness Society's Lyndon Schneiders said it was a broken election promise.

"Only a month ago Mr Beattie and his government indulged in a round of self-congratulation for legislating against the construction of nuclear power plants in Queensland,'' Mr Schneiders said.

"If Mr Beattie accepts that nuclear power is unsafe ... why is he prepared to open the door to flood international markets with Queensland uranium?''

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said the policy of restricting the number of uranium-exporting mines was outdated.

"Premier Beattie's support for this federal Labor policy change signals a removal of Queensland's current uranium mining ban,'' Mr Roche said.

"It opens up the prospect of an important new segment for the Queensland resource industry."