Energy future in atom power: PM


AUSTRALIA could be producing nuclear energy by 2020 after Prime Minister John Howard committed the nation to a nuclear future.
Mr Howard said yesterday only nuclear and clean-coal energy could supply future energy needs and respond to the threat of climate change.
"Inevitably, part of the solution … must be to admit the use in years to come of nuclear power in this country," he said.
He said that was why he was announcing a strategy for the future development of uranium mining and nuclear power.
"I believe it to be our responsibility, if we are serious about tackling the problem of climate change, to embrace and promote clean-coal technology, to put the nuclear option on the table," he told the Victorian Liberal state council meeting in Melbourne.
"If we are fair dinkum about this climate change debate, we have to open our minds to the use of nuclear power," Mr Howard said.
He said laws prohibiting nuclear power would be scrapped and Australia would join research on the development of an advanced nuclear reactor.
Mr Howard said Australians should not be concerned about the safety of nuclear power. "There is a great scare campaign always conducted by some when you talk about nuclear power," he said.
"The reality is that the modern generation-four nuclear power plants are very safe. Safer indeed than many alternative sources of power generation."
But the Prime Minister did not say where nuclear power stations would be located.
He said while wind and solar power could make a contribution, the "stark reality" Australia must face if it was serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions was to "acknowledge at least the contribution that in time nuclear power can make".
Federal Resources Minister Ian McFarlane told the media after Mr Howard's speech that the first nuclear power plant could begin supplying electricity in Australia by 2020.
Democrats leader Lyn Allison said there would be public uproar about plans for nuclear power in Australia.
"The Prime Minister will have an unprecedented fight on his hands with this decision," she said.
"It is a toxic decision by a desperate man."
Mr Howard said the economic argument for nuclear energy would become strong.
"It's still very economic to continue with current coal use," he said.
"But if we are serious, we can't do that indefinitely and we really then have to move on from that to clean coal and that's dearer and that makes uranium-produced nuclear power more attractive and more economic."
He said Australia would join work in a research program for the development of a new-generation nuclear reactor.
"It is very important we plan now so, as the introduction of clean-coal technology creates pressure for cheaper and cleaner alternatives, we are ready to provide it," he said.
"And we need to take some immediate action to remove unnecessary constraints impeding the expansion of uranium mining and to make a firm commitment to Australia's participation in the generation-four advanced nuclear reactor research program."
Noticeably absent from Mr Howard's speech was any mention of his WorkChoices industrial relations laws, succession planning, the war in Iraq — or the name of his Labor counterpart.
Treasurer Peter Costello took his opportunity to play the role of the Liberals' attack dog. "His name is Kevin, he comes from Queensland and he is a menace to the future opportunity to the young people of Australia," he said.