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The Great Uranium Rush
 2005 will be remembered as the year the nuclear industry came back for one final swing. After a long decline, world uranium prices rose sharply during 2003 and are currently as high as they've been in decades. Combined with concerns about climate change, the industry believes it is set for a renaissance, and governments everywhere are talking it up.
The Australian Government is using the climate crisis as a smokescreen for pushing for new uranium mines across the country. State ALP governments are under attack from within to reverse decades-long policies restricting industry expansion.
Western Australia: in the balance
The good news: since the election of the Gallop Government in 2001, WA has been notionally nuclear-free. It is illegal to mine uranium in Western Australia, and the Premier is maintaining that "There's no way that my government will accept uranium mining in Western Australia." (The Australian p8; 16/2/2005)
The bad news: The Premier was never able to convert his commitment into legislation, and now pro-industry elements within the ALP are in open revolt. While it's illegal to mine, it's not illegal to explore, and a uranium rush is under way across the state. With an expectation in the industry that mining will be permitted sooner or later, the pressure is on.
Australia: uranium minefield for the world?
Progress to opening new uranium mines in Australia has been slow, with Honeymoon and Jabiluka on the back burner and Ranger in danger of runnning out of resource. But the surge in world prices and decreasing stockpiles has given the government a sniff of profit and the propaganda has been relentless.
The Standing Committee on Industry and Resources is undertaking an inquiry into ‘developing Australia's non-fossil fuel energy industry'. The first case study is to look into the strategic importance of Australia's uranium resources. The Committee has taken evidence from Cameco and a variety of submissions from a large number of parties. This committee has essentially been set up to provide the government with ammunition as to why exports should be ramped up. The committee met in Perth on Friday 23 September. Ironically, this committee was initiated by ALP resources spokesperson Martin Ferguson.
On 11 August 2005 the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, the Hon Ian Macfarlane launched the ‘ Uranium Industry Framework ', a steering committee of pro-nuclear interests with a 3 year mandate to advise the Government on how to fast track industry development. It is likely that this group will push to water down the approvals process.
Territory under siege
On August 4, 2005 Federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane announced that the Commonwealth Government would take over the development of the Northern Territory's uranium reserves, claiming the NT Government had ‘abdicated' its responsibility for doing so. Explorers have ramped up activities and the first cab off the rank may well be Koobarra, in the heart of Kakadu at Nourlangie Rock.
On July 15, 2005, Federal Science Minister Brendan Nelson announced that the NT would be the site of Australia's radioactive waste dump, with a shortlist of three sites. Locals are gearing up to block the proposal...watch this space.
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