Katter’s Australia Party (KAP) has called on the major parties to detail the evidence supporting their opposition to uranium mining to the new generation.

The federal Labor government is maintaining a three mines policy introduced in the 80’s which was maintained by the Liberal-National Party over its terms in power.

The state ALP is maintaining its stance against uranium mining introduced in the late 80’s with the closure and rehabilitation of Queensland’s only uranium mine, Mary Kathleen near Mount Isa.

It’s a debate whose time had come said KAP leader and Member for Traeger Rob Katter.

“I think the starting point to this whole conversation is to for the government, whether it be federal Labor or state Labor to outline what is the science or the evidence that they’re relying on to have such a staunch opposition to either uranium mining or nuclear power? 

“Because it’s I think open to enormous criticism if their position is just based on ideologies and emotive arguments. 

“I think they’re then subject to enormous criticism, particularly when we’re having these discussions about how we’re going to ride this tide of net zero (carbon emissions) 2050 that Labor wants to enforce on us.”

Related: Strategic importance of Australia’s uranium resources

The prospect of needing another base-load source of energy generation was on the horizon, Mr Katter said. 

“… both major parties seem okay with the coal industry winding up,” he said. 

“They seem okay with that, so you need some large, dispatchable base load (power) and nuclear plays a big part of that, and uranium mining, which North West Queensland, (is) one of the biggest uranium mine provinces in the world. 

“Wherever you find copper, you’ve got a likelihood of finding uranium but the resources out here are highly significant and could play a part in the energy future of Australia.”

Related: Memories of Mary Kathleen

Change of attitude

Ignoring uranium as a source of base load power was kicking the can down the road said Mr Katter.

“I think the big question to start with is, and someone please tell us. why we’re not considering uranium mining? Then for that matter, nuclear energy. 

“I think there’s pretty strong evidence that the young people in Australia are now okay with it. They’re not scared of the scare campaigns around nuclear and uranium around in the ’80s. 

“A lot of that’s dissipated and belongs to an aging generation and the new generation are a lot more okay with it. Perhaps it’s time for that older generation to educate themselves, and what are the real risks? Are they acceptable? I think they are.”

Pic: Cover of the book, ‘Memories of Mary Kathleen’