Tuesday 17 October 2006

PM backs 'clean, green' nuclear

Sunshine Coast Daily
Tuesday 17/10/2006, Page: 14

AS Prime Minister John Howard was busy selling nuclear power as the new "clean, green" energy this week, Environment Minister Ian Campbell was preparing for a trip to China where he will open a $300 million wind farm built by an Australian company, Roaring Forties.

Mr Howard said yesterday that nuclear power had to be considered if Australia was serious about global warming. He made the comment when announcing aid packages for farmers affected by the drought.

A nuclear energy taskforce will report early next month on the potential for nuclear power in Australia. And while the Prime Minister says nuclear is just one of a range of options being considered, his environment minister has recently blocked a $200 million wind farm in Victoria.

Greens leader Bob Brown warned yesterday that Australia risked seeing the alternative energy technologies it has developed exported overseas. Brown points out Australia has only a 2% target for renewable energy while China is chasing 15%. He also accused the government of squeezing funding for solar research.

Opposition leader Kim Beazley, meanwhile, used a school visit to argue that renewables, not reactors were the answer to Australia's future.

It appears that suddenly power, water and the drought are on everyone's lips.

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