Conservation Council

WA's peak environmental group has called for the State Government to come clean on taxpayer subsidies for the uranium mining industry as government and industry delegates attend the Australian Uranium Summit in Perth.

Conservation Council Director Piers Verstegen said "The WA Minster for Mining and Petroleum has made a commitment in State Parliament that taxpayers' funds would not be used to subsidise uranium mining, but that is exactly what is happening.

"We know that the State Government is spending taxpayers' funds on exploration grants for uranium mining in WA.

"In addition to this, a number of dedicated public servants have been employed at taxpayers' expense to promote and assist the industry to become established in WA, and to issue environmental approvals.

"Now, as the Japanese nuclear disaster sees investors dump their uranium stocks, the Premier and Minister Moore are signalling that existing subsidies to the industry may be extended even further in the form of relief from mining royalties payable to the state.

"If this extraordinary plan goes ahead, Western Australians will not only be forced to accept the serious risks of uranium mining, but will receive none of the economic benefits promised by the industry.

"The price of uranium has collapsed for a very good reason - this is an extremely dangerous industry that is not supported by the community. At every step of the uranium industry the costs far outweigh any benefits as we are witnessing right now in Japan.

"While other countries around the world are re-assessing the future of the nuclear industry in the wake of the Japanese crisis, the WA Government is increasing subsidies for uranium mining while refusing to disclose its risks to the community."

In 2009, WA trade unions, environmental, faith and public health groups, together with Aboriginal leaders called for an open public inquiry into uranium mining and the nuclear industry. This call was rejected by the State Government.

Mr Verstegen said "The need for a public inquiry to determine if uranium mining is in Western Australia's public interest is now more important than ever.

"We call on the State Government to come clean on the risks that the industry presents to WA before another dollar of taxpayers' money is spent on subsidising this unwanted industry."