A May 17, 2006 article in The Australian titled Howard flags N-power discusses the nuclear energy interests of the current Australian Prime Minister.
Australia, the site of approximately 40% of the world’s proven uranium reserves is also the world’s leading exporter of the heavy metal fuel raw material. The country does not operate any power producing reactors, though it recently built a small research reactor to replace a previous research reactor.
Mr. Howard has indicated that his country has a strong interest in remaining appraised of progress by other nations to forge a nuclear trading organization under the proposed GNEP – Global Nuclear Energy Partnership – especially when the topic is recycling used nuclear fuel. He has also indicated that his government may consider issuing a white paper that studies the economic, political and environmental arguments for and against the possible future use of nuclear power in Australia.
