David Parker: Labor leaders must take their hero Hawke’s lead on uranium

It was at the Australian Labor Party Conference in Perth in 1977 the then leader of the Australian Council of Trade Unions said that “my heart says no but my head says yes,” when supporting a change to ALP policy to allow uranium mining.

That ACTU leader was none other than Robert J. Hawke.

The conversation surrounding uranium mining should not be relegated to the annals of history as a bygone debate. We need to look to the future.

Advocates endorsing this approach aim to grow the State’s economic potential while contributing to global decarbonisation efforts, echoing the pragmatic proposition advocated by a historic Labor leader decades ago.

The current policy on uranium mining in WA is overdue for re-evaluation.

The success story seen just across the border serves as a compelling reason for WA to reconsider its stance.

When South Australia has successfully embraced uranium mining to its benefit, there seems to be no logical reason for Western Australia to hold back.

Long-standing opposition, driven by outdated fears and misconceptions, overlooks the scientific advancements and safety protocols that have made nuclear energy safer than ever.

It’s time for a public conversation, led by facts, recognising the role of uranium in supporting the low-carbon economy the world is striving towards.

The global landscape is changing.

Last year at the United Nation’s COP summit, 22 countries, including the United States, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom, signed a pledge to triple nuclear electricity production by 2050.

Early this year, Japan moved to designate uranium as a critical mineral, and the fast-rising demand for uranium around the world underscores the urgency of repositioning Australia within the uranium market.

With the world’s largest uranium resources, Australia could have a key role to play.

This global momentum unfolds against a backdrop of Australian companies actively engaging in uranium mining and exploration overseas.

This year, Paladin Energy, a Perth-based firm, will begin production from its Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia. Deep Yellow, another WA success story, is not only set to do similar in late 2025 but also mine uranium in WA as the only project able to continue despite Labor’s obstructive policy. Uranium explorers have so far invested over $1 billion in WA without realising a return on their investment due to these restrictive policies.

Meanwhile, there are another 40 Australian-led uranium exploration projects in Africa, Canada, the United States, and Argentina.

Remarkably, ASX-listed companies allocate more than two-thirds of their uranium exploration budgets to projects outside Australia. Why? Because this is an investment, they are banned from making it in their own backyard.

The international market contrasts starkly with the domestic landscape, where policy inconsistencies and a fragmented approach across States have hampered the ability of Australian businesses to fully leverage our homegrown advantage.

The proposed policy change from the Opposition offers a pathway not just to economic prosperity but also to contributing meaningfully to global energy security and environmental sustainability.

By aligning policies with those of South Australia and the Northern Territory, WA can create a consistent, stable environment for uranium exploration and development.

This would not only be a welcome signal for investment but also set the stage for Australia to fulfil its potential as a leader in the clean energy transition.

Embracing this vision also means addressing the misconceptions surrounding uranium mining.

With robust regulatory systems and over 60 years of experience in safe uranium production, the economic and environmental benefits are clear.

The time has come for the WA Government to move beyond past reservations and seize the opportunities ahead.

This isn’t just about mining; it’s about dismantling myths and building a future where WA leads the charge in marrying economic success with environmental integrity.

With decades of safe uranium mining under our belt and the starting gun well and truly fired on the decarbonisation race, the time for our politicians to think with their heads is now. David Parker is WA executive director of the Minerals Council of Australia.