[Greens-Media] Nuclear energy part of the problem, not the solution say Greens

[Michael Hidden]

19 May 2006

Nuclear energy part of the problem, not the solution

Greens MLC Ian Cohen has today urged the NSW Government not to rush
headlong into the false dawn of nuclear madness that seems to have
gripped politicians in Canberra.

"John Howard's announcement today that development of nuclear power
in this country is inevitable must be vigorously resisted." said Mr.
Cohen.

"If the Prime Minister is so concerned about rising fuel prices and
greenhouse gas emissions he should be looking at the myriad of simpler,
cheaper and more environmentally friendly options, such as wind, wave or
solar power.

"Renewable energy is yet again being shafted in this vicious and
dishonest campaign by the nuclear industry, and I implore the NSW
Government to show leadership on this issue rather than kowtowing to the
Federal Government. The Premier has spoken of his desire to reduce the
state's greenhouse gas emissions. Uranium mining is part of the
problem, not the solution. 

How do the politicians preaching the nuclear message with such
fundamentalist zeal propose to deal with the intractable problem of
nuclear waste, an issue that the industry has been unable to solve in
the half century of the nuclear age? Will they tell us along which roads
it will travel? Will they tell us which communities the waste will be
foisted on? 

"NSW and Australia could be a world leader in renewable energy, yet
governments across the country seem to be ignoring or even denigrating
its potential. It is massively underfunded compared to the dirty coal
industry. It was good to see John Howard admit that fossil fuels do not
have a future, however this pursuit of nuclear power is a classic
example of out of the frying pan and into the fire. The NSW Government
must resist becoming the nuclear clone of the Federal Government." Mr.
Cohen said.
			

Further Information: Ian Cohen, 9230 2603 or 0409 989 466


Michael Hidden
Advisor to Ian Cohen MLC,
NSW Parliament,
Macquarie St
Sydney
Ph: 02 92302603
Email michael.hidden at parliament.nsw.gov.au