Policy C2: Nuclear

1.      there is a strong link between the mining and export of uranium, nuclear power and nuclear weapon proliferation.

2.      the consequences of the use of nuclear weapons, or of catastrophic accidents at, or terrorist attacks on, nuclear power stations, are so great that the risks are unacceptably high.

3.      future generations must not be burdened with high level radioactive waste.

4.      nuclear power is not a safe, clean, timely, economic or practical solution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

5.      a nuclear-free Australia.

6.      a nuclear-free world.

7.      safe, long-term containment of Australia’s existing nuclear waste.

8.      the elimination of nuclear and depleted uranium weapons.

9.      safe, ecologically sustainable energy options.

10. end the exploration for, and the mining and export of, uranium.

11. prohibit the processing and enrichment of uranium in Australia.

12. prohibit the import and export of nuclear waste and fuel rods.

13. prohibit the reprocessing of Australian nuclear fuel rods.

14. promote the development of non-reactor technologies for the production of radioisotopes for medical and scientific purposes.

15. close the nuclear facility at Lucas Heights.

16. ensure that nuclear waste is stored with minimal risk and is monitored above ground at or near the site of generation.

17. require uranium mining companies to meet enforceable standards to safely contain and to monitor their radioactive tailings wastes.

18. require uranium mining companies to rehabilitate mining sites.

19. immediately close Australia’s ports and territorial waters to nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels.

20. prohibit the treatment of food with ionising radiation (food irradiation), and the importation of such food.