N-waste 'dumped' in Australia

By Steve Lewis in Washington
May 15, 2006

Divisive ... Greenpeace protesters at the Lucas Heights reactor. AUSTRALIA could be used as a global waste dump for spent nuclear fuel as part of a worldwide push to increase the use of nuclear power.

In the most forthright remarks in favour of George W.Bush's nuclear energy campaign, Acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile called on Australians yesterday to have an "open mind" on the issue of nuclear leasing.
Nuclear leasing, as proposed by the US President, would allow the sale of uranium to countries that have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But they would have to use the uranium for power plants and return spent nuclear fuel.

Mr Vaile's candid remarks put pressure on John Howard to make a more forthright statement about Australia's role in the nuclear industry as he prepares to hold talks with Mr Bush and other senior US political figures during a five-day official visit to Washington.

The Weekend Australian reported on Saturday that the Prime Minister would push for Australia, the world's second-largest uranium producer, to play a bigger role in the nuclear industry debate as part of broader talks on energy security.

Australia has refrained so far from publicly endorsing the nuclear leasing option and Mr Howard cautioned on Saturday against people "running ahead of themselves" on the subject.

But Mr Vaile enthusiastically commented on the possible role to be played by Australia in the emerging nuclear debate.
"If you look at the big push to limit and restrict the emission of greenhouse gases, it is going to push major economies into using as much green power as they can but also bring more nuclear power into the mix," Mr Vaile told the Nine Network's Sunday program yesterday.

"Australia, with something like 30 per cent or more of the reserves of nuclear energy in the world, is obviously going to be an important player and this process is going to change. But what we have always said that we will want to do this on our terms, as we did with China."

Asked whether Australians would be prepared to take back nuclear waste, Mr Vaile said: "Obviously there will be a wide range of views but we need to keep an open mind on all these issues.

"If we expect to extract benefit from selling the product, then obviously there is a role in terms of management through life, both in terms of how it is used, under what security circumstance it is used in other countries.

"Then the question of waste comes into being. That is yet to be addressed."

Nuclear leasing forms part of Mr Bush's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, although experts caution that such technology is years away from coming into effect.

Mr Howard met US Vice-President Dick Cheney on the weekend and will hold talks with US Energy Secretary Sam Bodman today, followed by a meeting with Mr Bush tomorrow.

Aware of acute public sensitivity towards nuclear power, Mr Howard has so far embraced a softly-softly approach on the subject.

He is determined to keep momentum alive for increased nuclear energy, but during a press conference on Saturday cautioned against suggestions that Australia wanted to play a central role in nuclear leasing.

Mr Howard was also forced to defend his visit to Washington, part of a two-week overseas trip, after Kim Beazley said it resembled a "holiday".

"It will be an unparalleled opportunity to not only touch on issues such as Iraq and Afghanistan, but also all the other aspects of the bilateral relationship," Mr Howard said.

Mr Bush, whose approval ratings have plummeted to a record low, is repaying the man he dubbed Man of Steel for his unswerving support by laying on an official visit.

They will hold official talks tomorrow morning, before the President hosts a black-tie dinner for Mr Howard at the White House in the evening.

The Prime Minister has also lined up a raft of meetings with the Bush administration's senior personnel, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, US Trade Representative Rob Portman and his successor, Susan Schwab.

The vexed issue of high oil prices will also be on the agenda when Mr Howard meets the newly appointed governor of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke.

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