The Australian Greens have condemned the Federal Government for striking a deal to sell uranium to Russia's power industry.

Greens nuclear issues spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the deal announced today was environmentally irresponsible and a drastic step backwards for nuclear disarmament.

(Question No. 148)

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, upon notice, on 28 September 2010:

Given that a total of only 29 Aboriginal Australians have ever received compensation for suffering as a result of exposure to British nuclear tests, and given the more generous budgetary and medical support recently extended to nuclear veterans, will the Government provide similar access to medical services to affected Aboriginal Australians.

The Australian Greens today urged the Government to support a United Nations draft resolution calling for a ban on the production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons to be voted on tomorrow in New York.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear issues Senator Scott Ludlam said the Government should take the opportunity to make a clear statement of support for a nuclear weapons convention.

Senator Ludlam (Western Australia) asked the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, upon notice, on 28 September 2010:

Given that a total of only 29 Aboriginal Australians have ever received compensation for suffering as a result of exposure to British nuclear tests, and given the more generous budgetary and medical support recently extended to nuclear veterans, will the Government provide similar access to medical services to affected Aboriginal Australians.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2010
Department of Defence

Senator Ludlam asked:

(a)Some years ago a payment of $13.5 million was made by the Australian government for rehabilitation of the Maralinga site. Have efforts been undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the clean up measures, and at what intervals and using what methodology is ongoing monitoring being undertaken into the safety of the area?

(b)Were efforts made to undertake a clean up of the Emu Fields site and the Montebello Islands? If not, why has such a measure not been undertaken?

"Dr Zigmund Switkowski has again ignored a clear instruction not to use his publicly funded title as head of ANSTO to undermine Government policy," Greens spokesperson on nuclear issues Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

"In an opinion piece today he continues to use his role to white-ant Government policy and conjure up an imaginary world where nuclear energy is somehow rid of its 50 year legacy and vast public unpopularity.

The Australian Greens call on the next Australian government to begin negotiations on an international Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC) by no later than 2015, Australian Greens spokesperson on nuclear issues Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

"On the morning of the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, we must rededicate ourselves to the task of ridding the world of nuclear weapons."

Senator LUDLAM-Gooday, Mr McKinnon-glad that we finally got to you. I think this might be our first estimates session in the post John Carlson era. Can you just give us a bit of an update on who is running the show now?

The Federal Government's decision to allow uranium exports to Russia will harm Australia's credentials as a leading international voice against the spread of nuclear weapons, according to the Australian Greens.

Russia maintains the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, is a key part of the Iranian nuclear programme, and has not been visited by IAEA inspectors since 2001.

"The spread of weapons grade material is the dark underbelly of the uranium mining industry," said Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, spokesperson on nuclear issues.