Senator Scott Ludlam, the Australian Greens spokesperson on nuclear issues is calling on the government to provide a policy briefing for senior official, Ziggy Switkowski, who keeps forgetting that the Rudd government has ruled out nuclear power in Australia.

Dr Switkowski is Chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and told a meeting of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy in Adelaide last night, that nuclear power should supply 30% of Australia's energy by 2050.

"Dr Switkowskis is out of step with the science and public opinion, and I've never understood why the Chairman of a Government agency spends so much time promoting an activity that is illegal in Australia. By his own admission, it will take fifteen years before nuclear power is available, yet we can have a safe, efficient renewable energy grid up and running well before then. Why would we radiate, when we can shine?"

"The idea that nuclear power is a solution to climate change is nineteenth century thinking. Dangerous nuclear waste and its risk of irreparable damage to Australia, is incompatible with the green and renewable vision for Australia's future," said the Greens Nuclear Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.

"Australians are calling out for renewable energy and they know nuclear power has no place in a sustainable society. If the Government won't provide this briefing to Dr Switkowski, the Australian Greens would be happy to."

The Senator made the comments as he prepared to travel to the Northern Territory for an inquiry into his bill to repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act and prevent the imposition of a nuclear dump in the Northern Territory.

The bill is currently before the Senate's Environment Committee and will bring greater transparency and community inclusiveness to the management of nuclear waste. Senator Ludlam will be in Alice Springs on Monday and Tuesday.

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