AWU backs WA uranium mining

Date: 20 November 2008

The Australian Workers' Union has called on the leader of the West Australian Labor Party, Eric Ripper, to fall into line with Federal ALP policy on uranium mining.

The AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes, said West Australians had shown in the State election they would not object to the new Premier, Mr Barnett, lifting the ban on uranium mining.

Labor abandoned controversial three-mines uranium policy last year

" I think that WA Labor should take heed of that decision by the Federal party and support Labor policy, which is that there is no need for ideological opposition to uranium mining.

"Economically it makes no sense, politically it makes no sense because there was a very clear message from the electorate at the last State election that this is not a major issue for West Australians.

" AWU members are eager to support opening up the new opportunities that uranium mining offered for Australia's economy as well as the opportunity to win good new secure jobs for our union's members," Paul Howes said.

Paul Howes was supporting the Federal Resources Minister, Martin Ferguson, who has also demanded that Eric Ripper drop his opposition to uranium mining.

Supporting Minister Ferguson

The Federal Minister rejected Mr Ripper's claim that expanding uranium mining to WA would increase the nuclear and terrorist threat and inevitably lead to nuclear power stations in Australia.

For further information

Contact:	Paul Howes, National Secretary
Union:	AWU
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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