Capitalising on nuclear

MAJOR Australian companies are investigating how they can capitalise on the construction of nuclear power stations.

Thiess, Leightons, United Group and engineering group Bechtel are all closely watching the nuclear debate.

Some Queensland companies have been actively investigating proposals if construction of a nuclear facility is approved.

And business interest in establishing a domestic Australian nuclear industry is set to pick up if the Labor Party scraps its long-standing opposition to expanded uranium mining at its national conference next month.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd is pushing for the change in the face of opposition from the party's left wing, especially in Queensland.

The Courier-Mail understands the ALP's National Policy Committee retained the existing "no new" uranium mines provision in the draft platform that will go the national conference. The policy platform was adopted by the National Executive of the ALP on March 2. This means that any shift in Labor policy on uranium would have to be moved from the floor by Mr Rudd or someone acting on his behalf, setting the scene for a potentially bitter debate.

Queensland state president Ron Monaghan said Labor should back clean coal and alternative energy options.

But Mr Rudd has made it clear that relaxation of Labor's policy on uranium would not extend to it embracing nuclear power generation in Australia, an option Prime Minister John Howard wants to pursue.

No Australian company could construct a nuclear power station, needing the technology from India, Germany, France or the US – but local construction companies could easily provide vital infrastructure.

Major contractor Thiess is investigating several possibilities, employing Detzler Sulzer as the executive manager of technology.

Mr Sulzer is honorary German Consul in Queensland and has been involved in the construction of at least a dozen nuclear power plants.

While few of the major construction companies will confirm they are looking at nuclear power, observers say they would be remiss if they did not.

United Group chairman Trevor Rowe said nuclear power was a serious option for governments down the track.

source news : news.com.au