Nuclear fears fuelled by Howard speech

An environmental lobby group fears that if Australia starts nuclear power generation nuclear weapons will be just a small step away.

John Howard has used his trip to Canada to announce he would like a full-blooded debate on whether his country should tap into its plentiful uranium supply for energy.

He says Australians should keep an open mind in the wake of rising petrol prices and the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenpeace New Zealand executive director Bunny McDiarmid says there is a very thin line between nuclear power and nuclear weapons technology.

She says any country which has the potential to produce nuclear power, has the potential to produce nuclear weapons.

With New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance, it is no surprise Mr Howard's talk of nuclear power generation is not going down well with some groups.

Ms McDiarmid says New Zealand has to encourage Australians down other paths as nuclear power is simply a disaster.

She adds there is still no solution to the problem of nuclear waste.

- NEWSTALK ZB