Ian Macfarlane (Groom, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources) Share this | Hansard source

Of course, in the other corner is the member for Batman, who yesterday, with his colleagues the member for Blaxland and the member for Lyons, backed the finding of the bipartisan report into Australia’s uranium industry. This report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry and Resources unanimously concluded:

... the current restrictions on uranium mining are illogical, inconsistent and anticompetitive.

The report goes on to say:

Restrictions have impeded investment in the industry, and have resulted in a loss of regional employment and wealth creation opportunities ... The only beneficiaries of restrictions are the three existing producers and foreign competitors.

The report goes on to say:

... state policies that prevent development of new uranium mines should be lifted and legislative restrictions on uranium mining and exploration should be repealed.

To borrow a phrase, the Labor Party has reached a fork in the road. It has to choose between continuing with an ideology that is completely outdated and irrelevant or following what we on this side of the House believe in: allowing the uranium industry to expand and create exports, jobs and opportunities for Australians.

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