Last Update: Friday, July 15, 2005. 11:30am (AEST) Federal Government considers overturning NT uranium ban The Federal Resources Minister says he is alarmed by indications that the Chinese are prepared to look elsewhere for uranium if the Northern Territory refuses to mine more of the resource.
The Chinese Ambassador, Madam Fu Yin, says her country wants to buy uranium from the Territory but is prepared to turn to other countries to fuel its nuclear plants.
Ian Macfarlane says the Territory's Chief Minister, Clare Martin, should reverse her ban on new uranium mines and he is exploring whether the Federal Government could overturn it.
Mr Macfarlane says Labor's stance against uranium mining risks driving Chinese business to places like Canada.
"Madam Fu Yin, who has proven to be a friend of Australia over the time she's been ambassador, would prefer obviously that we are able to fulfil some of those contracts, but it's just simply not possible under this ridiculous policy of the Northern Territory," he said.
But the federal Labor member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, says Mr Macfarlane's comments are all "bluff and bluster".
Mr Snowdon says Mr Macfarlane knows he can overrule the Territory's decision with federal legislation.
He says Ms Martin will not change her stance until environmental concerns about uranium are resolved.
"Labor policy's been very clear for years, everyone knows it," Mr Snowdon said.
"What she's done is gone to an election, won an election handsomely, very handsomely historically.
"I think the real issue is coming to a view nationally about what's in our nations interests about the future of uranium mining."
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