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

I would welcome a debate. In fact, I would also welcome the Leader of the Opposition and the premiers of each state copying the Howard government’s uranium policy because, until we can actually mine the uranium in each state, we cannot export it. I have here a media statement from Australian Nuclear Energy Pty Ltd, which was just passed to me. The statement says:

The Australian community will ultimately decide the best way to provide sustainable energy for our country.

I would hope that that would be through a debate. I know the Leader of the Opposition likes debates. The media statement goes on:

Australian Nuclear Energy Pty Ltd is a private company established to examine potential commercial responses to future energy needs.

ANE company secretary Mr Bruce Fitzgerald says that contrary to today’s media reports, the company has not put forward a proposal to build nuclear power plants in Australia.

The company will make no further comment.

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