The pros and cons of selling uranium to India

A DEAL to sell uranium to India, with the potential for significant employment and export benefits, will be the focus of a public hearing in Canberra on Monday.

The Parliament’s Joint Treaties Committee is completing an inquiry into the deal which would see Australian uranium sold for the first time to a country that is not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Agreement.

Australian Government witnesses will give evidence on the safeguards in the deal to ensure that Australian uranium is used for safe civilian purposes only and is not diverted to military programs.

Committee Chair, Wyatt Roy MP, said the deal could improve the lives of ordinary Indians by reducing energy poverty in India.

“The deal breaks new ground and the issues involved are complex.  It is important to ensure the deal is done right,” he said.

Negotiations for the sale of uranium to India began in 2006 and agreement was reached in 2014. The Government believes the deal maintains Australia’s strong commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament.

The deal has attracted criticism from some nuclear non-proliferation specialists because India is not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has been subject to external and internal criticism for its nuclear safety record.

“The committee will be undertaking a diligent and comprehensive look at the proposal to make sure all the issues are fully explored and considered,” Mr Roy said.

Public Hearing: Monday 15 June,
Committee Room 2R1,
Parliament House, Canberra,

11.30am – 1.00pm:
Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian Radiation and Nuclear Protection Agency
Department of Industry and Science

The hearings will be broadcast through: www.aph.gov.au/live

Copies of the treaties and submissions received can be found at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Treaties

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