Australian state rejects nuclear referendum

[AAP, 19 April] A bill that would have required a referendum to be held before a nuclear plant could be constructed in the Australian state of Victoria was rejected by the upper house of the state legislature. The Nuclear Activities (Prohibitions) Amendment (Plebiscite) Bill 2007 called for a referendum to be held in Victoria if "the Commonwealth Government takes action to support or allow the construction of a prohibited nuclear facility in Victoria." The bill was introduced by state energy and resources minister Peter Bachelor, who said he was "outraged" that the upper house's three Greens members did not vote for the bill, ensuring it was lost 18 votes to 20. However, Greens upper House MP Greg Barber said the bill was deficient because it empowers the Minister of Energy & Resources to determine the question to be asked in the referendum, not the parliament. The Australian government has been examining the use of nuclear energy in order to meet future electricity demand whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In early 2007, a private equity company, Australian Nuclear Energy, said it was examining the prospects for a nuclear power plant in the country.

Further information

Parliament of Victoria

WNA's Australia's Uranium and Who Buys It information paper