Katter stakes a North-West Qld claim on nuclear future

Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has renewed calls for Queensland to lift its uranium mining ban while proposing Mount Isa as a nuclear power plant site in the wake of the Federal Opposition's energy plan. “Despite the LNP here in Queensland not yet towing the party line, I’m thrilled to see that KAP’s long-held position on nuclear is resonating with the LNP in Canberra,” the Member for Traeger said. Queensland’s Callide and Tarong power station sites are among seven locations earmarked for nuclear plants under the energy overhaul proposed by the Federal Opposition. Related: Dutton maps out Opposition’s nuclear ambitions But, Mr Katter (pictured above) said that with CopperString finally getting out of the ground, the time was right to say ‘yes’ to a nuclear plant in Mount Isa. “Mount Isa is geologically extremely stable, we are away from the coast and the most devastating natural disasters, it’d be the perfect location," he said. “Add to this, Mount Isa is an industrial town, and we get what industry means. It means jobs, prosperity, and a future. “I’ve said it before, including in parliament, and I’ll say it again – many say, ‘not in my backyard’, but I’m confident Mount Isa would support having nuclear plant. “We know the benefit to our community, our small business, and our economy if nuclear were to come to town." Mr Katter said also his very first question on the floor of the Queensland Parliament called for a lift of the uranium ban, which resulted in the Newman government doing half a job. "Labor proceeded to slam any hopes though as soon as they got back into government,” Mr Katter said. Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Labor State Government had a long-standing policy that prohibited mining of uranium in Queensland, and that position had not changed. "As a government we know there are huge opportunities for the resources sector, particularly for critical minerals, which will create good jobs and be key to delivering our Energy and Jobs Plan," he said. Time to put uranium mining on the table At the Townsville Enterprise Mining and Critical Minerals Forum this week, Queensland Senator Susan McDonald said uranium mining must be up for discussion. Putting aside the domestic nuclear energy debate, it was clear that Australia's allies and strategic partners had a strong need for a stable source of uranium into the future, she said. Queensland LNP Senator Susan McDonald. "Just last month, the United States signed H.R.1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act. This means that by July 2028, the US will no longer import Russian enriched uranium," she said. "The US has also committed to a massive ramp-up of their own enrichment capacity, putting billions of dollars aside to invest in securing supply chains for alternate uranium sources. "This leaves Australia in a prime position. We have some of the best reserves of uranium in the world." Yet state-led ideological prohibitions on exploration and mining were stopping us from properly realising this potential, Senator McDonald said. "And whilst we are seeing the government talk about strategic partnerships with the US, and the development of critical minerals supply chains, uranium is the big word they are avoiding," she said. You may also like: https://industryqld.com.au/laramide-backs-qld-uranium-mining-future

Katter stakes a North-West Qld claim on nuclear future

Industry Queensland

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