Labor and the Coalition stood united today in their strenuous effort to completely ignore the dangers posed by uranium mining and transport.

Australian Greens nuclear policy spokesperson Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the major parties "defied logic and decency" by refusing to support an inquiry into the uranium industry moved by the Greens in the Senate today.

"With no fewer than three states pushing for uranium mining we need an inquiry into the existing laws governing the industry; yet the major parties studiously keep their heads in the sand.

Demonstrations will be held in Perth, Adelaide, and Darwin today to mark the Annual General Meeting of the company pursuing Western Australia's first uranium mine. In the Senate, the Australian Greens will move a motion calling on Environment Minister Tony Burke to stop the clock on the project.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear policy Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said Toro Energy's Wiluna proposal united people across the country in opposition.

(Question No. 2390)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 19 October 2012:

A Save Malaysia - Stop Lynas delegation from Malaysia will speak out today at the Senate Courtyard on the controversial rare earth processing plant of Australian company Lynas at 1.30pm.

The proposed plant has been the subject of mass protests and legal action in Malaysia. The Australian Greens support Save Malaysia - Stop Lynas in their efforts.

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon said "Thousands of Malaysians have taken a loud stance against the Lynas rare earth refinery and the radioactive legacy the plant would dump on local communities".

A nuclear scandal in South Korea dealt another blow to the crumbling global nuclear industry this week but the Federal Government's Energy White Paper demonstrates blissful ignorance, the Greens said today.

Australian Greens nuclear policy spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the Government needs to recognise the nuclear industry is in terminal decline.

Despite pretentions to playing a leading role in world affairs, the Australian Government showed a complete lack of leadership in the United Nations vote on depleted uranium.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear policy Senator Scott Ludlam said the decision to abstain from the vote on a resolution on depleted uranium weapons was "as inexplicable as it is disgusting".

"This was the United Nations First Committee's most far-reaching resolution on DU weapons to date, and 138 countries said yes - but the Australian Government couldn't find the guts to get off the fence.

(Question No. 1273)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 12 October 2011:

(Question No. 1516)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, upon notice, on 19 January 2012:

(Question No. 1787)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, upon notice , on 27 March 2012:

With reference to paragraph 12 of the answer to question on notice no. 1566 (Senate Hansard, 22 March 2012, proof p. 113), can the general background information supplied by the department, relating to India's potential uranium demand and the forecast expansion of its nuclear sector, be provided.

Senator Chris Evans: The Minister for Resources and Energy has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question: