‘Oui!’ to nuclear debate

By Kath Gannaway
FRAN Bailey, McEwen MP and federal Minister for Tourism and Small Business, has called for debate on nuclear power for Australia.
She said climate change threatened Australia’s tourism industry and cited France as an example of how nuclear energy and a successful tourism industry can “go hand in hand”.
“France is the most visited country in the world, attracting more than 76 million tourists each year,” she said. “France also generates 78 per cent of its electricity from nuclear energy.”
Ms Bailey said that although France is only 14th the size of Australia, it has 59 nuclear generators.
“To the naysayers out there, I say, take a good, hard look at France.
“They have managed nuclear energy, a clean, green image and a vibrant tourism industry to boot.”
However, Ms Bailey declined to say whether she would support in the future building a nuclear generator in the Yarra Valley. It was the debate that was important, she said.
“It’s way too easy for people to hijack that debate by saying ‘where would reactors go?’ and for journalists to ask ‘would you support a reactor?’,” she cautioned.
She said people should not read into her comments on France that she supports nuclear energy.
“I don’t know the answer on this issue,” she said.
“I do know that it’s important that people get the facts and participate in debate before jumping the debate stage by saying ‘where would you put it?’ and ‘do you support it?’.
“The debate is about what place nuclear energy would, or would not, play in the future and about providing a range of energy options to reduce emissions into our atmosphere.”
Ms Bailey said the Commonwealth Government had spent many millions of dollars on research into new energy technologies.
She said eco-tourism was worth $12 billion to Australia and that everything possible must be done to protect Australia’s clean, green image.
“By looking at all the possible options to protect the environment and jobs, the Howard Government is looking after Australia’s national interests.”