- Media Release
NSW uranium bill marks a welcome first step in consistent nationwide approach
The Minerals Council of Australia congratulates Libertarian Party MLC the Hon John Ruddick and the New South Wales Legislative Council which passed legislation today to remove the NSW prohibitions on uranium mining and nuclear energy.
The Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2025 recognises the need for Australia to use its world-leading uranium assets for supporting global zero-emissions energy and highly skilled local jobs through responsible and safe mining.
The Bill aims to repeal the original prohibitions from 1986, which should never have been implemented and were made obsolete just two years later with the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Forty years on, the world is taking a very different view of nuclear energy, with countries representing approximately 70 per cent of global GDP looking to nuclear energy and Australia’s uranium to meet their energy security needs and help decarbonise their electricity grids.
While the Australian Government does not prohibit uranium mining, over time states and territories have developed an inconsistent mish-mash of policies governing the commodity.
While NSW has banned uranium mining until now, the successful and safe mining of uranium in South Australia – supported by a significant workforce based in Broken Hill – highlights the confusing and inconsistent nature of state-based laws and the potential opportunities for other states who back the mining of uranium.
The passing of today’s bill marks an important step in a consistent nationwide approach to uranium mining.
In the consideration of the Bill by the NSW Legislative Assembly, the MCA encourages MLAs to closely examine the positive track record of uranium mining in South Australia which has developed a world-class regulatory framework that protects the community and the environment.