The Australian Greens say the Government must rule out uranium sales from Australian mines being used to offset domestic greenhouse gas emissions, after a non-committal Senate statement from Climate Change Minister Penny Wong this afternoon.

"I asked the Minister whether she was in a position to rule out uranium exports from Australian mines being used to avoid taking action on greenhouse gas emissions here in Australia," said the Greens Spokesperson on Nuclear Issues, Senator Scott Ludlam.

 "I was hoping that the Minister might state clearly that exports of radioactive concentrate will not be used as a substitute for domestic emissions reductions."

"Instead we have left open the bizarre prospect of exports from highly emission-intensive uranium mines being used to offset national carbon emissions."

"Nuclear energy is not carbon free -- the mining, processing and extensive transportation of uranium and nuclear fuel, and the building and maintenance of nuclear power plants releases substantial emissions all the way through the fuel chain."

"The inclusion of uranium as a carbon offset would add insult to injury to those still reeling from the Government's announcement of its weak Emissions Trading Scheme."

"The Minister needs to clearly state the Government's real intentions here. I've written to Minister Wong asking her to clarify what position the Government will take to Copenhagen. I look forward to her response," concluded Senator Ludlam.