Fed: Qld to abide by Labor Party's decision on uranium

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2007
Fed: Qld to abide by Labor Party's decision on uranium

SYDNEY, April 27 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says he will abide by any decision
by Labor to overturn the its 25-year opposition to new Australian uranium mines, even
though he's against such a move.

Labor delegates attending the party's national conference in Sydney will vote this
weekend on whether to dump the ALP's three mines policy.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd says he is confident the plan will get the nod from delegates,
despite several members of his frontbench team, including Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong
and Peter Garrett opposing the plan.

On his way into the conference today, Mr Beattie said that while he opposed the proposed
policy change, if the conference voted in favour of it he would adhere to it.

"If the decision's left to us, then there won't be uranium mining," Mr Beattie told
reporters to loud chants from anti-uranium protesters.

"The important thing is if there's a national approach we'll follow it. But if not,
then we will stick with the existing position in Queensland.

"If there's a national policy that lifts the number of mines that will mean more uranium
mining in South Australia. If the position is it's left to Queensland, then we won't mine
uranium."

Mr Beattie also said the three-day conference highlighted it was time for a fresh start
for Labor.

"I think the most important thing that will come out of the conference is not just
the debates but the fact that this is a fresh start for the Labor Party," he said.

"We've got a new leader, a leader with ideas who's fresh. That's all we wanted. Australia
wants a change. I mean it is time. I know it's the old slogan, but it is time for change
and Kevin Rudd offers a fresh approach."

AAP bt/cjh/cdh

KEYWORD: LABOR BEATTIE

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