PM Gillard Set to Quash Uranium Sale Ban to India
The Australian Labor Party is set to reverse its ban on uranium sale to India, according to a Monday report carried by Fairfax media outlets, which also suggested that the turnaround would be in support of Primer Minister Gillard's 'Asian Century' policy.
In an article penned by Ms Gillard and published by Fairfax publications, the Prime Minister has indicated that she likely will seek a compromise on the controversial same-sex marriage in exchange for her Labor colleagues to back the policy change.
This early, reports of howl to be raised by left-leaning Labor members started circulating, which observers said could muster enough support from the Australian Green party.
The issue, according to the Fairfax report, will be tackled on Labor's national gathering set to be hosted by Sydney on December, a conference that experts said could easily be marred by bitter debates and divisive decisions among party leaders.
In working to dump the uranium sales ban implemented in 2008 by then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Ms Gillard reportedly wants to synchronise her 'Asian Century' policy that touches both her government's economic and political disposition.
According to Fairfax, the ban is now regarded as inconsistent with in-placed international protocol on uranium sale as both the United States and Canada have existing agreement with India, which is widely regarded as one of the countries fast-advancing on their economic developments.
Rudd had originally imposed the ban as Australia's way of forcing New Delhi to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which the Indian government has refused to be part of until today. Reports have suggested that Rudd, now the country Foreign Minister, supports Ms Gillard's move.
Foreign Ministry officials have hinted that the Australian government's backtracking is a form of appeasement and thereby improving diplomatic relations with India, whose business and political leaders have been critical of the ban, the Fairfax report said.
Ms Gillard's move will hopefully create a better environment for both Australia and India to work on much-improved agreements that touch on trade and security cooperation.
Once the policy-change takes effect, the Fairfax report said that Australian will commence dealing with India as if it is a signatory on NPT, then creating a platform that Ms Gillard contends is conducive to job generation that would benefit the country's remote areas.
On the subject of proposed amendments to the Marriage Act that civil rights activists hope would accommodate Australian same-sex marriage in the future, Ms Gillard wrote on her Fairfax article that her government will not support any form of changes on the existing laws, which is a form of compromise for those who will oppose the propose deal with India.
The Prime Minister stressed too that a 'conscience vote' on the matter is the most appropriate measure at this time.