[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - Treaties reveal companies driving uranium export push to China

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 9 August 2006

Treaties reveal companies driving uranium export push to China 

The bilateral treaties paving the way for Australian uranium to be
exported to China reveal that mining companies BHP Biliton, ERA and
Heathgate Resources, not concern for climate change, are behind the
export drive, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens energy and climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne
said the proposed export of uranium to China was filled with risks.

"The tabling of these treaties in parliament yesterday brings the
prospect of Australian uranium exports to China one step closer,"
Senator Milne said in Canberra.

"Australian uranium may well end up in China's nuclear weapons programme
or it will free up other uranium to be used for that purpose. 

The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr
Mohamed ElBaradei, has expressed concerns about the safeguard systems,
describing them as 'fairly limited' and running on a 'shoe-string
budget'. Fuelling regional instability is not the action of a
responsible international citizen.

"If the Australian government were truly concerned about assisting China
to meet its growing energy demands without adding to climate change it
would be supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies,
not the export of a mineral for nuclear energy, which is dangerous and
expensive.

"Australians troubled by the implications of this proposed export trade
need to let the government know about their concerns. I urge people to
contact the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties which will consider the
treaties and report to parliament before the agreements can take effect.

"The fever surrounding the prospect of making more money from exporting
Australian uranium is misplaced and short-sighted.

"The Australian government, by backing this drive by the uranium mining
companies, is selling Australia short. We need to shift from our
dependence on resource exploitation and develop smart, industries with a
low impact on the environment.

"That is the only way to safeguard Australia's economic prosperity while
protecting the environment for generations to come."

Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562

Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au