South Australian Labor divided over uranium mines policy

The South Australian branch of the Labor Party remains divided over the federal party's policy of no new uranium mines.

The state's left faction held a meeting today, ahead of a debate on the controversial issue at the party's national conference next month.

South Australia's most senior Left faction MP, state Energy Minister Patrick Conlon, unexpectedly broke from the faction's ranks today by saying Australia should no longer restrict the mining of uranium.

Mr Conlon did not attend today's meeting, and convenor Mark Butler says members are yet to be convinced on the issue.

"We would only consider supporting the Rudd position to change the policy if we could be convinced that there would be significant tightening of various safeguards going to proliferation and environmental standards and also a strong commitment to investment in renewable energy," he said. SOURCE: © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation