Howard must rule out leasing enriched uranium

Prime Minister must rule out leasing enriched uranium: Greens

Prime Minister John Howard must rule out Australia leasing enricheduranium, Australian Greens energy spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said today.

"Prime Minister Howard today reportedly ruled out Australia taking radioactive by-products generated outside of Australia," Senator Milne said in Hobart.

"The Prime Minister said he is not pre-empting his own inquiry yet his inquiry is looking at what Australia's prospects are with regard to nuclear waste management.

"His comments today still leave the door open to Australia taking back the waste generated from uranium enriched in Australia and supplied to overseas nuclear power plants under a leasing agreement.

"The Prime Minister must now rule out Australia enriching and leasing uranium. Until he does, Australians face the possibility of storing radioactive waste generated from uranium enriched in Australia and leased to overseas users."

ENDS

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