Campbell accuses nuclear opponents of scaremongering.


Federal Environment Minister Senator Ian Campbell has accused opponents of scaremongering by claiming proposed new laws will allow Australia to import nuclear waste that is generated in other countries.
The Greens and the Democrats say the ANSTO Amendment Bill, which is due to be debated in Parliament next week, would allow Australia to take back the waste material generated from any uranium it exports in the future.
Senator Campbell would not confirm that is the case, but says Prime Minister John Howard has already ruled it out.
"The Prime Minister's made it quite clear that we're not storing other people's waste - that's quite clear," he said.
"Quite frankly if the Greens are serious about climate change, they'll stop going around and scaremongering about nuclear and they'll start telling a few truths, rather than distort it."
The Democrats are planning an amendment to the Bill, calling on the Government to rule out importing waste generated overseas.
Australian Democrats Senator Lyn Allison says the Bill will allow Australia to take back radioactive material to enrich it.
"We possibly move to nuclear power and that we may as well be a dump for other countries too," she said.
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