❓ Question about uranium project progress in the Goldfields, particularly Kalgoorlie. Premier's answer is largely political, attacking the Labor party's stance on uranium mining and highlighting government support.
AnsweredQoN 774Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
URANIUM — GOLDFIELDS PROJECTS
I refer the Premier to the state government’s stance on job creation and developments in the mining industry. I am proud to represent a part of the state which is focused on mining and which contributes a lot to the general wealth and prosperity of our state. Will the Premier please update the house on the progress of uranium projects within the goldfields, and particularly within my electorate of Kalgoorlie? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer the Premier to the state government’s stance on job creation and developments in the mining industry. I am proud to represent a part of the state which is focused on mining and which contributes a lot to the general wealth and prosperity of our state. Will the Premier please update the house on the progress of uranium projects within the goldfields, and particularly within my electorate of Kalgoorlie? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
The member for Kalgoorlie has wanted to ask that question all week, because he is well known as a strong advocate of mining, and particularly of the now emerging sector of the uranium mining industry. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: The member for Kalgoorlie has wanted to ask that question all week, because he is well known as a strong advocate of mining, and particularly of the now emerging sector of the uranium mining industry. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The member for Kalgoorlie has wanted to ask that question all week, because he is well known as a strong advocate of mining, and particularly of the now emerging sector of the uranium mining industry. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: The member for Kalgoorlie has wanted to ask that question all week, because he is well known as a strong advocate of mining, and particularly of the now emerging sector of the uranium mining industry. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The member for Kalgoorlie has wanted to ask that question all week, because he is well known as a strong advocate of mining, and particularly of the now emerging sector of the uranium mining industry. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There have been many members of Parliament, particularly Labor members, wandering around Parliament this week scratching their heads and wondering what the Labor Party’s policy is on uranium. The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The father of the member for Victoria Park—a good member—was a wonderful Liberal. We live in hope that those Liberal genes will come out and the member for Victoria Park will follow the lead of the member for North West and come over here where he rightfully belongs! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member for Victoria Park clearly understands that uranium mining is a growing industry and that we, as the world’s leading mining economy, should be part of it. I suspect that the member sitting beside the member for Victoria Park should be over here too, but we do not want the member beside him. He can stay over there! Every government has its problems, but we do not need the member for Mindarie! I suspect that the member for Mindarie agrees with us too. I believe that there are a lot of other members opposite who realise that uranium mining is a reality. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the Liberal-National government could claim a mandate on any one issue, it would be uranium mining, only because our position was quite clear from the very beginning of the election campaign that we would lift Labor’s ban on uranium mining—it was absolutely clear. The Labor Party chose to campaign on that and, indeed, in the last two weeks of the election campaign, made it its major issue. The Labor Party stuffed bits of paper on uranium mining in every letterbox across the state. What did the people of Western Australia think about it? They did not give a hoot, because they know that we have high safety standards and high environmental standards. The people of Western Australia know that uranium mining is probably the most significant new sector of mineral development in this state. The people of Western Australia understand—they are not silly—that both developed and developing nations around the world are switching increasingly to nuclear power generation as a clean, affordable energy resource. That is what is happening. People out there are not fools. They watch television shows, they understand climate warming, they understand greenhouse gas emissions and they understand that most countries in the world are increasing their nuclear power generation. Of course they accept that with Australia having the world’s largest reserves of uranium deposits, it would have uranium mining as part of it. Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr M.J. Cowper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not think we want Peter Garrett either! Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Hon Martin Ferguson, the federal minister with responsibility for this issue, as recently as July this year said — The Australian Government — I remind members that it is a Labor government — strongly supports the expansion of uranium mining in Australia as it will bring significant economic benefit to Australians and play a major role in international efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. He has made repeated statements along those lines. I do not know what Labor members’ position is because they are all over the place. Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s in our platform. It’s very clear. Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If it is very clear, I really would like to hear it at some stage. I assume the member for Victoria Park supports uranium mining, but at least he is sensible enough to understand that once uranium mining is underway, no government, including a Labor government if there happens to be one in the future, would ever wind it back. I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
I will answer the member for Kalgoorlie’s question to bring him up-to-date. There are 43 known uranium deposits in Western Australia. Some 149 exploration licences have been granted, five having uranium specifically included in the licence grant. There are currently five companies likely to advance uranium mining projects in Western Australia in the near future. Those projects are BHP Billiton’s Yeelirrie project, the largest, with an annual production estimated at 52 000 tonnes; Cameco’s Kintyre project, 35 000 tonnes; Energy and Minerals Australia’s Mulga Rock project, 24 800 tonnes; Toro Energy’s Lake Way project, 10 800 tonnes; and Mega Uranium’s Lake Maitland project, 10 800 tonnes. Most of those projects are in the vicinity of the goldfields. Western Australia happens to have some of Australia’s richest uranium deposits. I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
I again state, lest there be any doubt, that the Liberal-National government supports uranium mining. We will develop the industry in a responsible way, and if the Labor Party should ever return to power and try to close down the industry, it had better put into its forward estimates hundreds of millions of dollars of compensation funded by taxpayers, instead of using that money to fund health services, education, policing and other services that matter to the people of this state.
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