Nuclear Politics

There are three spheres or levels of Government in Australia. Firstly, Local Councils represent local communities and have the power to make some local laws. (The Nuclear Free Zones campaign is working at this level). The leader of a Local Government authority is normally called the President or more commonly, Mayor.

Secondly, State Government manages most of the public services we are familiar with and manages most of the laws that directly affect us.Thirdly, at the national or Commonwealth level is the Federal Government, which determines laws relevant to the country as a whole (such as foreign affairs & trade). The leader of the Federal Government is known as the Prime Minister.

View the political links page for quick links to major parties and parliamentarians.

POLITICAL PARTIES
Australian politics at a State and Federal Level is dominated by two major parties, the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party (ALP). In the 2007 Federal election the heavily pro-nuclear Howard Government was defeated by the Rudd Labor Government, while in WA the ALP took power following their election win on February 10, 2001.

The Australian Labor Party (ALP)

FEDERAL
The ALP won the 2007 Federal election under the leadership of Kevin Rudd. The ALP dumped the historically compromised 'No New Mines' policy at their 2007 national conference, and now supports a major expansion of uranium mining (while notionally leaving it up to the States to decide whether mining should go ahead). The Federal ALP has declared it is opposed to domestic nuclear power, enrichment plants and international imports of nuclear waste.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Under the leadership of Premier Alan Carpenter, the Labor Party holds government in Western Australia. The ALP's stated commitment to an anti-uranium position has remained in place, although the Government has still not legislated against uranium mining.

The Liberal Party of Australia

FEDERAL
The Liberals identify themselves as the "Party of initiative and enterprise" and they have led the charge to expand the nuclear industry in Australia since winning the federal election in 1996 under the leadership of John Howard. This strategy came to an end after the election loss of 2007, with the Liberals quietly shelving their pro-nuclear power agenda in December 2007.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Under the leadership of Troy Buswell, the Liberal/National coalition is attempting to rebuild its credibility following election losses in 2001 and 2005 in Western Australia. The WA Liberals are pro-uranium mining, with former leader Colin Barnett their most prominent advocate.

The National Party of Australia

FEDERAL
The Nationals' uranium mining policy was developed in conjunction with the Liberals, meaning that the Nationals support the development of more uranium mines in Australia.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The WA Nationals follow federal policy and support uranium mining. View their contact details.

The Greens

FEDERAL
There are four Australian Greens in the Senate. Led by Bob Brown, Senators Rachel Siewert, Kerry Nettle and Christine Milne are all strongly anti-nuclear. Senator Milne holds the nuclear issues portfolio for the Australian Greens.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
With two members in the WA Legislative Council, the Greens (WA) have long taken a strong position on nuclear issues at a state level. Giz Watson MLC has led the charge on legislating against uranium mining in WA.

The Australian Democrats

FEDERAL
Under the leadership of Lynn Alison, the environmental policies of the Democrats include a fairly comprehensive anti-uranium platform. The democrats have been active at a Federal level opposing uranium mining.