The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) said a Federal Government decision to supply uranium to India should not re-ignite the debate on lifting a ban on mining the mineral in Western Australia.
CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts said he backed Premier Roger Cook and WA Labor’s long and proud stance to maintain the ban on uranium mining, with a continued focus on delivering cheaper, cleaner renewable energy.
A submission lodged in October last year by CCWA and Nuclear Free WA to the Select Committee Inquiry into ‘the role of Western Australia in the global effort on decarbonisation’ supported the retention of the state ban on uranium mining.
"Decarbonising by supplying uranium for nuclear power is a furphy. Just like other false solutions, including carbon capture and storage, nuclear is displacing renewables by diverting investment away from the clean energy transition,” Mr Roberts said.
“Every dollar spent on nuclear is money that isn’t spent on the development of renewable energy projects like wind and solar.
“WA might identify as a mining state, but we draw a line at uranium. It generates little benefit and creates environmental, health, and economic liabilities . The sector has a history of leaks, spills, accidents, expensive and failed attempts to rehabilitate, and long-term risks to the environment and workers.
“Uranium mining is radioactive, requires huge volumes of water and leaves behind radioactive mine waste – there has been sustained opposition to uranium mining in WA from communities and workers because of these risks.
“The last review of the uranium industry found a pattern of underperformance, non-compliance and a legacy of spills, leaks and accidents.
“There is no social license for uranium in WA, and our regulators are not set up to adequately police this sector.
“Whether it’s the gas industry ripping us off, or Alcoa continuing to pay a meagre 1.65% on its royalties, we’re seeing governments at every level making deals for the benefit of foreign interests and corporations over the interests of the Australian public.
“Calls for the ban on uranium mining in WA to be lifted makes no sense on any level – socially, economically, or environmentally – despite what the mining lobby and state opposition leader would have us believe.
“Do they seriously think that a private company that’s going to benefit financially from uranium mining in WA is going to have our best interests at heart?
“Already we’re seeingend of life mine sites and oil and gas infrastructure that will cost taxpayers billions of dollars to decommission and rehabilitate when companies try and walk away from their obligations in the coming decades.
“Right now, we have so many options when it comes to renewable energy which is cheaper, more efficient and doesn’t come with the dangers of nuclear energy production.”
ENDS
Media contact: John Cooke – 0433 679 780