Mr Smith is reported in various media outlets saying: "I think that one of the driving forces [for nuclear] is the major effects of climate change. Australia at the moment is the highest emitter of carbon-per-head of any country in the world. The global problem for carbon emissions is 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. This needs urgent action.” (ABC News, 5/6/06 )

ECNT Coordinator Peter Robertson said, “The problem is, nuclear is not only hugely expensive, dirty and dangerous, it is also very, very slow.

“If the Howard government approved a new reactor tomorrow, it would be up to ten years before it was switched on – assuming they could find somewhere to park it.

“We don’t have the luxury of waiting ten years.

“We would achieve far greater reductions in greenhouse gases, far more quickly and much more safely by investing the multi-billion dollar price tag of a nuclear reactor - let alone four or five as suggested by ANSTO - in a concerted program of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“Not only would this lead to immediate and ever-increasing reductions in greenhouse gases, it would also have huge economic and job benefits in Australia, as we could become a world leader and major exporter of cutting edge clean energy technology.

“The Prime Minister’s nuclear antics may appear to be good politics – although that is far from certain too - but it has nothing to do with sound energy policy, let alone combating global warming.”

Further comment: Peter Robertson – 0409 089 020