Iemma’s challenge is to stop PM’s nuclear push in NSW

Dr Kaye said: “If the NSW Labor government is serious about stopping the proliferation of nuclear reactors along NSW’s coast line, then they will work with us to pass stronger laws that can withstand John Howard’s push for a nuclear future.

“Labor and the Greens together have the numbers to pass good legislation through the Upper House. The Premier has no excuse.

“The current laws are paper thin and can be overridden by any federal government hell bent on plunging this state into a nuclear future.

“If it takes a referendum to shield this state from the dangers of nuclear power generators and the environmental risk of an enrichment industry, then we are prepared to negotiate legislation to create a plebiscite through the Upper House.

“NSW’s coast line is in the firing line of Prime Minister Howard’s nuclear rampage. With a high demand for energy, access to the grid and the ocean to provide cooling water, Kurnell, the Illawarra, Newcastle and the Central Coast would be prime targets.

“These are also areas of high population density and important recreational values that would be endangered by nuclear reactors.

“The Prime Minister is using the nuclear issue to wedge the Federal Labor Opposition on uranium mining. The people of NSW should not stand by and watch energy policy being dictated by the political expediency of Liberal party in the lead up to the next federal election.

“It is time the Iemma government made it clear that nuclear power is dangerous, unnecessary, expensive and unwanted in this state,” Dr Kaye said.