Aust. uranium decision soon?

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 8

Aust. uranium decision soon?

NZPA Canberra The Australian Government may announce its decision on the mining and export of uranium next week, informed sources have said in Canberra. The Federal Cabinet will begin a two-week meeting on Monday in preparation for the August 16 Budget, but it is expected to deal with the contentious uranium issue before becoming bogged down with Budget estimates.

The Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) has reiterated many times that no decision has yet been made, but Government observers believe the go-ahead is only a Cabinet formality.

Both Mr Fraser and Mr Anthony, who is also the Minister for National Resources and Overseas Trade, have made no attempt to hide their belief that uranium should be mined and exported.

And the Australian Labour Party has stated it will honour existing contracts but could not guarantee it would do so, if returned to office, with new deals.

The Cabinet is also expected to discuss contingency plans for the shipment of uranium from Australia after the recent demonstrations in Sydney and Melbourne against shipments. Government sources in Canberra said that another shipment from the Government's Lucas Heights uranium depot in Sydney was likely next week through Melbourne.

The West German container ship Columbus Australia, left Melbourne early yesterday carrying a consignment of uranium yellowcake bound for the United States, after a series of demonstrations against the shipment.

The Melbourne branch of the Waterside Workers Federation has decided permanently to ban the vessel along with any others carrying uranium. On Saturday, it was at the centre of a wild anti-ura-nium demonstration at the Swanson Dock in Melbourne during which 30 people were arrested.