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Labor 'won't harm uranium sales deal'
May 1, 2006 - 6:54PM
Labor is promising China that an agreement to buy Australian uranium will not be jeopardised by an ALP win at the next federal election.
ALP national president Warren Mundine gave the assurance to Chinese leaders during a visit to Beijing last month, and follows the signing of the deal opening the way for Australian uranium sales to the Asian superpower.
During his visit to Beijing, Mr Mundine told senior government officials that a Labor government would not disrupt any sales agreement between Australia and China.
"(I've) allayed their fears (over what might happen) if there is a change of government and the ALP take over," Mr Mundine told AAP.
"The sign-offs with regards to the uranium sales are safe.
"The deals they've signed off with the Australian government, we support. They're within our current policy guidelines.
"And I am supporting discussions about the policy."
The nuclear deal - which has the potential to generate billions of export dollars for Australia - put the focus on the ALP's no-new-mines policy, which prevents the development of any new mines by state Labor governments.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley is hinting he may support a change in Labor's policy.
He is also demanding strong laws to ensure Australian uranium doesn't end up in the wrong hands.
"It's not a question ... of who digs it up but the terms and conditions under which it is sold," Mr Beazley told reporters on Monday.
"The terms and conditions under which it is sold now are not tough enough - they need to be tougher.
"We have to get appropriate policies in place, and we will."
The push for a change in policy at the party's national conference next year is gaining momentum, with supporters including South Australian Premier Mike Rann and opposition resources spokesman Martin Ferguson.
But opposition environment Anthony Albanese denies there is grassroots support to abandon the no-new-mines policy, warning it could cost Labor votes among its core constituency.
"I'm yet to see a single Labor Party branch in the nation carry a resolution calling for a change in policy," he told ABC radio.
"I don't believe that there are people out there who are saying, in marginal seats, that I will change my vote to Labor if only they change their anti-uranium and anti-nuclear positions.
"I do think, however, while there isn't a pro-nuclear vote in Australia, I do think there is an anti-nuclear constituency both within the party and within the broader community and they're certainly making their views felt."
Mr Mundine believes Labor is mature enough to have a sensible debate about its nuclear policy, which was conceived in the 1970s.
"I think we're a party that produces very good policies through strong, vigorous debates," he said.
As well as the Chinese, the talks appear aimed at convincing business leaders that a Labor government would not pose a danger to the lucrative uranium industry.
"The fact of the matter is we are one of the largest exporters of uranium," Mr Mundine said.
"We need to have an open debate about the energy and infrastructure of Australia and make decisions about these things."
He will urge the party to engage in a full and frank discussion about the issue when he addresses the ALP's Victoria state conference on the weekend.
AND ANOTHER NOT SMM RELATED BUT LABOR POLITICS
SA senator wants Labor uranium policy overturned
A Federal Opposition senator has spoken out in favour of overturning Labor's uranium policy banning the development of new mines.
There is a growing debate in the party, with Labor's environment spokesman Anthony Albanese warning any relaxation of the policy will cost votes.
Labor Leader Kim Beazley says he is more concerned about nuclear safeguards than where uranium is mined.
South Australian Senator Annette Hurley, who is also a member of the ALP national executive, says the current policy is out of date.
"I think here in South Australia we've got one of the largest uranium mines in the world and it seems a bit illogical for us not to allow smaller uranium mines to produce even more uranium, providing strict conditions are adhered to," she said.
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