Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens
4:12 pm
I move:
That the Senate:
(a) affirms its commitment to a complete moratorium on nuclear energy, as expressed in the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
(b) notes the devastating and lasting impacts of the nuclear disasters in Fukushima, Chernobyl and Three Mile Island; and
(c) call on all Ministers to commit to Australia being a nuclear-free zone.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
We have a longstanding moratorium on nuclear energy in Australia. The government has no plans to change that. Although Australia does not generate electricity from nuclear fuel sources, we are the world's third-largest producer of uranium. The government supports the sustainable development and responsible use of this important energy resource. Australia has benefited enormously from nuclear research activities and production of nuclear medicine over the last 70 years. Each month, ANSTO safely ships 2,000 packages containing medical radioisotopes and other radioactive materials, including more than 10,000 doses of potentially life-saving nuclear medicines a week, across Australia and the region.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
4:13 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
As this motion only refers to nuclear power and does not call for the closure of other nuclear activities, such as the important work of the Lucas Heights facility, Labor will support the motion.