Federal nuclear power ban

Monday, 6 November 2006
Minister unaware of own nuclear power ban

The Minister for Finance, who also represents Prime Minister Howard, Senator Nick Minchin, was unaware that his own government banned nuclear power stations (and enrichment plants) in 1998.

Greens Leader Bob Brown asked the Minister about the ban in question time today. The ban was legislated in the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (page 3, section 10 "Prohibition on certain nuclear installations")

Senator Brown said that the act was passed six years after the Rio Earth Summit agreement to tackle climate change.

"Before the Howard government proceeds with nuclear power stations or uranium enrichment, it will have to reverse its own ban," Senator Brown said.

Senator Minchin confirmed Senator Brown's claim after question time.