Portfolio Media Releases

Australia / India relationship damaged by Rudd Government indecision

Article Categories: Portfolio Media Releases, Foreign Affairs, Environment

The Federal Opposition has reiterated calls for Australia to sell uranium to India for peaceful power generation uses, and also urged the Rudd Government to support India’s opportunity to purchase uranium from other countries.

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Andrew Robb, said Britain’s agreement yesterday to strongly support a consensus decision, by the 45 nation Nuclear Suppliers Group to give the green light to civil supply of uranium to India, further strengthens the case for Australia’s support.

India is the world’s largest democracy, an increasingly influential regional power and an important potential strategic partner for Australia.

“The Rudd Government’s decision to reverse the former Coalition government agreement to supply India with uranium for power generation is a serious snub to India, and reduces India’s capacity to combat climate change.

“For Australia to now drag its feet on a decision whether to block uranium sales to India by other countries, rubs further salt in the wound,” said Mr Robb.

Nuclear power generation would be a safe, sustainable and non-polluting source of energy for India, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases with rapidly growing energy needs.

“As Australia only makes up 1.5% of the total global greenhouse gases, any real impact that our country can have on climate change should include assisting large developing nations like India to significantly reduce their level of CO2 emissions by facilitating nuclear power generation.”

Media Contact: Stuart Eaton, 0433 298 620