Canberra backs report to clear way for nuclear industry - National

A report that recommends changes to pave the way for further uranium mining has been welcomed by the Federal Government as a way to maximise the industry's potential.
The Uranium Industry Framework unveils a two-year plan to remove obstacles to uranium mining and comes just weeks before the release of a report by the Federal Government nuclear energy taskforce, which is expected to say a domestic nuclear power industry could be viable within 15 years. The spectre of climate change has accelerated the debate.
The framework recommends streamlining environmental and other standards as well as setting up a single national body to oversee the domestic transport of uranium.
It also suggests that access to land for exploration and mining could be improved through legislative reform.The report also contains recommendations designed to improve uranium's image. These include a campaign to counter community concerns and a recommendation to tackle obstacles to international shipping.
The framework also urges greater engagement with the Aboriginal community.
It was written by a prominent Melbourne businessman, John White, and developed by a group selected by federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane. "While Australia holds around 40 per cent of the world's low-cost uranium resources, we account for only 23 per cent of the world's uranium production," Mr Macfarlane said.
The report was welcomed by Labor's spokesman for resources, Martin Ferguson.
But conservation groups criticised it. "They talk about harmonising regulations," said David Noonan, of the Australian Conservational Foundation. "Really what they're talking about is writing down the standards to suit the industry."