Peter Garrett lost the argument against uranium mining and hit out at Government plans for a nuclear power industry (Getty Images)

Labor's nuclear attack

energy

Labor has attacked Prime Minister John Howard's plans for a nuclear energy industry in Australia, after its own national conference dumped a long-standing ban on new uranium mines.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's motion to scrap the 'no new mines' policy was passed by a slender 15 votes at the ALP national conference, with environment spokesman Peter Garret among those voting to maintain the ban.

But the move was overshadowed by Mr Howard's outlining of a future nuclear energy industry for Australia.

Speaking at the Victorian Liberal Party conference, Mr Howard said Australia needed to rethink its energy production in the face of climate change, and the only feasible options were clean coal technology and nuclear power.

"Part of the solution must be to admit the use, in years to come, of nuclear power," he said.

"If we're fair dinkum about this climate change debate we have to open our minds to the use of nuclear power."

Shortly after the Labor conference vote Mr Garrett went on the offensive against Mr Howard's nuclear proposal.

"He has plans for nuclear power plants to be dotted around this country," he said.

"He's taking us down a road and a path which I think is very dangerous."

Mr Howard said the Government would invest in research on the setting up of a nuclear power industry while Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said legislative barriers would be removed.

And Mr Macfarlane accused Labor of debating "last century's policy" on uranium mining.

Labor discontent

Mr Garrett says he accepts the conference vote on uranium mines but others in the party are less happy.

Some are angry with union leader and Federal candidate Bill Shorten, who linked the vote to support for Mr Rudd.

"If you think that rolling the leader is a great idea then go ahead and vote for the Albanese-Garrett amendment," Mr Shorten told the debate.

Critics of Mr Shorten say the tactic was immature, naive and damaging.

Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter says there will be no uranium mining in his state while he was in government.

"I don't feel under any pressure whatsoever," he said.

"The West Australian economy is powering ahead, we've got the highest economic growth figures and the lowest unemployment figures, we don't desperately need for economic reasons or any other reasons to pursue uranium mining."

The ALP conference ends on Sunday after dealing with issues including climate change, forestry and preselections for New South Wales.

Labor attacks John Howard's plans for nuclear energy industry in Australia, after its own national conference dumps long-standing ban on new uranium mines.

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