❓ A parliamentary question regarding comments made by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum about uranium mining speculation by companies and the political sensitivities surrounding the issue.
AnsweredQoN 205Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
URANIUM MINING — MINISTER FOR MINES AND PETROLEUM’S PRESS COMMENTS
I refer to an article published in The West Australian on 18 February 2009 entitled “Moore tells firms not to speculate on U-mining”. (1) Is the quote attributed to the minister correct, “Speculation by companies ahead of any approvals does not help in the political environment in which we live”? (2) If yes to (1), why did the minister make that comment? (3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE
I refer to an article published in The West Australian on 18 February 2009 entitled “Moore tells firms not to speculate on U-mining”. (1) Is the quote attributed to the minister correct, “Speculation by companies ahead of any approvals does not help in the political environment in which we live”? (2) If yes to (1), why did the minister make that comment? (3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(1) Is the quote attributed to the minister correct, “Speculation by companies ahead of any approvals does not help in the political environment in which we live”? (2) If yes to (1), why did the minister make that comment? (3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(2) If yes to (1), why did the minister make that comment? (3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(1) Is the quote attributed to the minister correct, “Speculation by companies ahead of any approvals does not help in the political environment in which we live”? (2) If yes to (1), why did the minister make that comment? (3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(2) If yes to (1), why did the minister make that comment? (3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(3) If no to (1), what did the minister say and why? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
(1)-(3) Yes, that particular quote you read out is correct. What I told a conference of mining companies was that the mining of uranium is not an issue in respect to technicalities and mining strategies; it is an issue in relation to politics. The Labor Party in Western Australia—not nationally, but in Western Australia—and the Greens and other political organisations will seek to make political capital out of the decision by the government to allow the mining of uranium. Prior to that conference, I was confronted with a situation where a particular company began speculating about how it might transport its yellowcake. It made some suggestions about what it might do. When I read it, I concluded that that will not happen under this government because it was proposing to do something that we would not accept. I made the point very simply to companies that it does not help to speculate in the public arena about what they might like to do but when they have decided what they want to do and they have a proposition to put to government, they should put that to us and we will make a decision about whether that is an acceptable process. Assuming that the proper approvals are given for mining leases and all the rest, a document will then go to the Environmental Protection Authority and the commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and will be absolutely picked over and totally scrutinised by the public because it will be a public document. Everybody will know what we are considering on any proposal to mine uranium and transport yellowcake. To suggest that I am saying that we should not have a public debate about this is nonsense. I am simply saying to companies, “Don’t say you might like to ship yellowcake out through Cottesloe or something because it is not going to happen. Do not tell us what you would like to do until such time as you are ready to make a proposal to the government at which time we will then have a public debate about whether it is a good idea and I will continue to defend the government’s decision to mine uranium in Western Australia.” Such companies will also know that the federal Labor government and the federal minister, Mr Ferguson, is a strong supporter of uranium mining in Western Australia. Indeed, I have had discussions with him about this matter. His officers are assisting our officers to ensure that our regulatory framework is world’s best practice, as it will be. I thank Mr Ferguson for his support and assistance in this respect. Finally, I have no doubt that prior to the next election, his colleagues in Western Australia will have a similar view to his.
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