peter beattie shifts on uranium mining

QUEENSLAND PREMIER PETER BEATTIE SHIFTS ON URANIUM MINING

QUEENSLAND WILL BE GUIDED BY NATIONAL LABOR POLICY

POLICY UP FOR DEBATE IN APRIL 2007

THE PREMIER'S COMMENTS AS REPORTED ON ABC RADIO AND IN THE AUSTRALIAN
NEWSPAPER


Beattie to take uranium lead from federal ALP


Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says he will be guided by federal Labor's
policy on uranium mining in the future.

Mr Beattie is opposed to uranium mining in Queensland because he says it
would jeopardise the state's booming coal industry.

The Prime Minister's historic export deal with China has caused division
within the federal Labor Party - some MPs are pushing for an end to its
long-held 'no new mines' policy, while others are resisting the change.

Mr Beattie says it is an issue for the ALP national conference.

"It's largely impossible for the Commonwealth to overrule the state on these things but I'd be guided by ALP policy and that won't be debated at a state
level, it will be at a national level," he said.

"We will do whatever it takes to get jobs and opportunities for Queensland
but I'm not going to see the Queensland coal industry - which has a lifetime of 300 years - I'm not going to see that undermined."




"THIS IS VERY POSITIVE AND WELCOME NEWS FOR SUMMIT AND ITS INVESTORS"



ALAN J EGGERS

SUMMIT RESOURCES LIMITED

PERTH 4 APRIL 2006