Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance

Media Release – October 17, 2006

Nuclear Power In Queensland- NO THANKS

Support for nuclear power in Australia by Prime Minister John Howard is illogical and ignores
community opposition to nuclear power in Queensland, according to the Queensland Nuclear
Free Alliance.

“We are opposed to the Sunshine State going nuclear because it is impractical, expensive and
does not provide an answer to global climate change,’ says Alliance spokesperson Annette
Brownlie.

“Nuclear power is unsafe, unwanted and certainly unnecessary for a region that has copious
amounts of renewable energy from the sun, wind, geo-thermal and other climate-friendly energy
options. We can dramatically reduce emissions through energy efficiency.”

The PM’s support comes ahead of a taskforce report on the expansion of the nuclear industry,
expected to be released next month.

“His hand-picked Taskforce was not required to explore all of Australia’s energy options nor
to consider the grave environmental impacts of uranium mining and the nuclear power industry.

“The publicly pro-nuclear stance of many of its members and the narrow scope of their inquiry
ensure that the process is seriously flawed and a waste of taxpayers’ money,” Ms. Brownlie
asserts.

“Nuclear power is not an answer to climate change. Even a doubling of nuclear power output
worldwide would only see a 5% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.” Planning for nuclear
power in Australia is a long term process. The government would need to convince the
Australian people of its benefits, overturn state laws, determine potential locations for
reactors and then go through a complicated approvals and technology selection process. It
is extremely unlikely that nuclear power could even be contemplated in this country before
2030.

“Uranium mining and nuclear power render vast amounts of water radioactive and unusable.
Drought-stricken states like Queensland cannot afford this waste,” Ms. Brownlie continues.

“Climate change is happening now. We need immediate action by the Commonwealth to reduce
greenhouse emissions by 20% by 2020. We need to focus on immediate reductions, not on
nuclear pipe dreams.”

For more information or media - Queenland Nuclear Free Alliance:
Annette Brownlie Just Peace Queensland 0431 597 256
Scott Alderson Sunshine Coast Environment Council 0407 290 029
Dr. Rachel Darken Medical Association for the Prevention of War 0417 182 325
Toby Hutcheon Queensland Conservation Council 0419 664 503
Robin Taubenfeld Friends of the Earth Brisbane 0411 118 737