Nationals and Liberals commit to lifting WA’s uranium mining ban

Media Release | 9 June 2026

A future Liberal-National Government will lift Western Australia’s ban on uranium mining, unlocking billions of dollars in investment, creating regional jobs and allowing Western Australians to benefit from one of the world’s fastest-growing energy industries.

Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum Shane Love MLA said WA Labor’s ban was preventing Western Australia from capitalising on growing global demand for uranium, driven by the growing need for reliable, low-emissions power.

“Western Australia has some of the largest uranium deposits in the world, yet Labor continues to lock away an industry that could create jobs, attract investment and strengthen our economy,” Mr Love said.

“The world is undergoing an energy renaissance, with countries across Europe, Asia and North America turning to alternative forms of energy, including nuclear, to improve energy security and reduce emissions.

“The absurdity is that companies can spend years and millions of dollars discovering uranium deposits in WA, but are prohibited from developing them,” he said.

“While other jurisdictions are moving forward, Western Australia is being left behind.

“The uranium price is now around four times higher than when Labor imposed its ban in 2017, yet Roger Cook continues to ignore the changing global market and the opportunities available to Western Australians.”

Mr Love said Western Australia had a long and proud history of responsible resource development and was more than capable of regulating a uranium industry to the highest environmental and safety standards.

“Uranium has been mined safely in other Australian jurisdictions for decades under strict regulatory oversight,” he said.

“This is about removing an ideological ban and allowing projects to be assessed on their merits through existing environmental and regulatory processes.

“The choice is simple: embrace a new industry that will diversify our economy, create regional jobs and strengthen Western Australia’s position as a global resources powerhouse, or continue Labor’s blanket ban and watch investment flow elsewhere.”

Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for State Development Basil Zempilas MLA said, “Western Australia is a resources powerhouse, yet under Labor we are locking away one of our most valuable mineral assets.

“Global demand for uranium is growing, and Western Australia is being left behind because of an ideological ban.

“Uranium will play a critical role in the global energy transition, support the growth of AI and advanced technologies, and create significant economic opportunities for our State.

“A Liberal-National Government will back jobs, back Western Australia and back responsible uranium development.”

WA holds approximately 226,000 tonnes of known uranium resources and has the potential to become one of the world’s leading uranium producers.

Industry estimates suggest lifting the ban could generate more than $1 billion in annual exports and create up to 9,000 jobs over the life of approved projects.

ENDS