Prime Minister Rudd should use his first meeting with President Obama to push for ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and deep reductions in the US nuclear stockpile, the Australian Greens Spokesperson on Nuclear Issues, Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

President Obama pledged in his Inauguration address, to work tirelessly with old friends and former foes to lessen the nuclear threat and was the first ever candidate to put nuclear abolition onto a Presidential race agenda.

"That tireless work on nuclear disarmament must now begin. Australia is an old friend and back on the disarmament map," said Senator Scott Ludlam.

In a bold move in 1996, Australia took the initiative to attach the text of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to a United Nations General Assembly resolution, thus allowing the treaty to be opened for signing. Obama needs to be similarly bold as he prepares the campaign to get the CTBT through the US Senate.

"The world is waiting for the US and Russia, who hold 95% of the nuclear stockpile, to go to the next level of cutting their arsenals to one thousand weapons each. This would bring China, the UK and France to the disarmament negotiating table," Senator Ludlam said.

"Kevin Rudd should also indicate that Australia is serious about a nuclear weapon free world by saying thanks, but no thanks to the US nuclear umbrella. Until we do, our diplomatic efforts and advocacy for disarmament have reduced credibility. Until we do, we are part of the problem because we are lending credibility to that outdated idea that nuclear weapons bring security, when their very existence poses an enormous threat," Senator Ludlam concluded.

Media contact: Robert Simms - 0417 174 302