John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. What I can say in relation to this is that, as Senator Trood would be aware, India has concluded civil nuclear cooperation agreements with a number of countries, including the United States, France and Russia. A September 2008 Nuclear Suppliers Group exemption for India to its guidelines on nuclear supply based on non-proliferation commitments made by India has made it possible now for India to conclude such agreements. I can say of course that Australia welcomed India’s non-proliferation commitments and supported the NSG exemption that I spoke about. However, each NSG member continues to determine its own national position with regard to supply of uranium or other civil nuclear cooperation with India.

I must stress with the Senate—and I have done this in answer to questions previously—that Australia’s uranium export policy has not changed. The Australian government has a longstanding policy that we will export uranium only to countries that are parties to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. (Time expired)