Queensland's ban on uranium mining may be lifted, with the Newman government discussing a review of the policy at cabinet today.
brisbanetimes.com.au understands ministers are talking about a uranium policy review at their meeting at Goondiwindi this morning. Premier Campbell Newman is expected to front the media at lunchtime today.
The world is hungry for uranium. Queensland has it. Let's sell it
Queensland allows uranium exploration but mining is banned.
In the lead-up to the election, Mr Newman said the Liberal National Party had no plans to develop uranium mines in Queensland, insisting there were other issues in the mining and resources sector that had a higher priority.
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"We have absolutely no plans or desire to approve uranium mines in Queensland at this time," he said in November 2011.
In June this year, federal Labor Resources Minister Martin Ferguson called on Queensland to lift its uranium mining ban.
"The Australian government urges Queensland to take the next step and to also remove its ban on uranium mining, given that it already permits exploration and has an estimated resource base of at least 37,000 tonnes," Mr Ferguson told a conference.
Katter’s Australian Party has repeatedly called on the Queensland government to lift the uranium mining ban.
But Queensland Conservation Council executive director Toby Hutcheon said he believed the LNP had committed not to scrap the uranium mining prohibition.
“Obviously we’re opposed to any removal of the ban from the point of view that we’re opposed to any expansion in the nuclear industry,” he said.
Mr Hutcheon questioned the promoted economic benefits, pointing to BHP’s decision to shelve the Olympic Dam project plans in South Australia.
Mt Isa mayor and former Queensland Labor mines minister Tony McGrady said he hoped Mr Newman would lift the ban.
"This could be the start of another resources boom in Queensland," Mr McGrady said.
He said lifting the ban would give Queensland the same access to job and wealth creation that other states had.
"The world is hungry for uranium. Queensland has it. Let's sell it," he said.
"Every other state and territory in this Commonwealth which has commercial deposits of uranium is allowed to mine and export ... all except Queensland."
Mr McGrady said 1000 jobs could flow from the state's two known deposits, one outside Mt Isa and the other on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
In September, Resources Minister Andrew Cripps called for public debate on uranium mining after miners urged the government to lift Queensland's ban.
"Uranium mining has not been the subject of a serious public discussion in Queensland for many years," he told AAP. "The government is keen to hear all views."
The state's last uranium mine, Mary Kathleen, closed in 1982.
