West Australian Liberal leader Libby Mettam has pledged to overturn the Labor government’s ban on uranium mining if elected next year.
Mettam made the commitment at an Association of Mining and Exploration Companies breakfast in Perth on Thursday, saying the commodity had a lucrative future that could create thousands of mining jobs.
The WA Liberals will reverse the ban on uranium mining if elected.Credit: 'Supplied
“Embracing uranium mining in Western Australia is a strategic move that not only addresses our economic needs but also positions us as pioneers in the global transition towards sustainable energy,” she told the breakfast.
“Quite simply, this is an opportunity that should be seized, it is an opportunity a WA Liberal government would develop.”
“The state is endowed with substantial uranium reserves with the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and diversify our economy.
“Uranium mining would generate direct employment opportunities and stimulate growth in related industries, such as manufacturing, infrastructure development, and technology.”
Uranium hit a 17-year-high this year, cracking $100 per pound in January for the first time since 2007 on the back of global supply risks and projected demand as the US, Japan and China ramp up construction of nuclear reactors.
After winning the 2017 election, Labor banned uranium mining in the state but allowed four projects that had already received ministerial approval from the former Barnett government.
Three of those four projects have since been disbanded.
“After a decade of under-investment, uranium prices are soaring and expected to continue to rise over the next 12 months,” Mettam said.
“Western Australia has a strong track record in implementing and enforcing robust environmental regulations, ensuring that uranium extraction is carried out with the utmost consideration for environmental protection and public safety.”
Mettam’s announcement is the latest election policy being drip-fed by her party as it looks to 2025.
Uranium is a key component for nuclear reactors, and Mettam’s comments come as her federal counterpart Peter Dutton spruiks plans to build nuclear power stations on old coal-fired power station sites.
However, Mettam has taken a different position on nuclear power from Dutton.
“This does not throw the doors wide open for nuclear power,” she told the breakfast on Thursday.
“While we are not ideologically opposed to nuclear power generation when it becomes economically viable for the state energy grid, now is not the time.”
WA Premier Roger Cook rubbished the policy.
“We have a set of mines at the moment that have a range of permits to explore and understand the commerciality of uranium mines in Western Australia,” he said.
“Those permits remain in place, but the uranium industry has got a significant way to go before those mines in Western Australia become commercial.
“Don’t be distracted by these one-liners from the Liberal Party.
“They are simply grasping at distractions so that they can distract the people of Australia away from the true cause of Peter Dutton, which is to tear apart our GST deal and to wind back climate change measures.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.