Federal Resources Minister Gary Gray Wants Nuclear Australia Debate

Published on Wednesday July 17 2013 (AEST)    

Federal Resources Minister Gary Gray says the Government should not shy away from a debate about whether to develop a nuclear power industry in Australia. 

 Mr Gray has previously spoken of his support for nuclear power and today told the Australian Uranium and Rare Earths conference in Perth that he believes there is a clear commercial market for nuclear power. 

The Labor Party is opposed to nuclear power generation, but Mr Gray says it could secure a reliable energy supply while reducing the nation's carbon footprint. Mr Gray says there needs to be a discussion about whether Australia has a nuclear future. 

"There is no proposal to build a nuclear power station, but that doesn't mean that it's impossible to have a debate or a discussion around our nuclear industries for the future," he said. 

"It is a valuable thing for Australians to be aware of the whole range of opportunities that are available to us as a nation and also responsibilities that are available to us as a nation." . 

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