Labor to abolish its policy on new uranium mines26-April-07 by...

Labor to abolish its policy on new uranium mines
26-April-07 by AAP

WA Business News Electonic News Alert


The Labor Party is certain to abolish its policy of no new uranium mines at this weekend's national conference after its left faction conceded yesterday it did not have the numbers to block the move.

Led by Anthony Albanese, the left estimated yesterday it would only muster votes from 180 of the 397 delegates.

"Rudd will get up and that will be good because Albo will get to run his line and Rudd gets to come in and show what a strong leader he is by spearing the left in the ribs," a left faction source told Fairfax newspapers.

"Everyone goes away happy."

A senior Labor frontbencher who will vote to abolish the policy was similarly resigned.

"There will be a stage-managed debate on a couple of issues and the leader will get everything he wants," the source said.

Labor's left faction will have about 177 delegates at the conference.

Some of its members, including Martin Ferguson, Julia Gillard and Chris Evans, will vote against the faction to abolish the policy.

Some from Labor's right faction, including frontbencher Stephen Conroy, will vote with the left, Fairfax reported.

The eight independents are expected to split over the issue.

The premiers of Queensland and Western Australia have said they will not allow uranium mining in their states, even if the policy is abolished.

Most of Mr Rudd's front bench are supporting abolishing the policy, as is the South Australian Premier Mike Rann.

Anti-uranium frontbenchers include Kim Carr, Peter Garrett, Tanya Plibersek and Penny Wong.

Other than Senator Carr, none is a conference delegate and therefore they cannot vote.