The New South Wales Deputy Premier says the State Government will not be overturning its ban on nuclear energy, despite a call by the Prime Minister to do so.

John Howard released the final report from his task force into nuclear energy yesterday, saying Australians need to accept that it will be a part of the country’s future energy needs.

He has called on the states to overturn their ban on uranium mining and exploration.

But Deputy Premier John Watkins says New South Wales will not be part of any nuclear industry.

“It’s too dangerous and it’s too expensive,” he said.

“Which community in New South Wales, which coastal community is going to have a nuclear power plant lobbed into their community?

“If John Howard thinks he can get away with this go and ask the community that are going to be expected to have a nuclear power plant in their backyard and they’ll say no resoundingly.”
In other developments:

* Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says communities across the country face the threat of becoming home to nuclear reactors, after the Prime Minister yesterday said Australians must accept that nuclear energy will be part of the future.