Premier Barnett’s decision to give the green light to uranium mining in WA is dangerous and undemocratic, according to the Greens (WA).

“The Liberal party were elected with 24 seats in the last election promising open-slather uranium mining. The Labor party won 28 seats on a nuclear-free platform. This government does not have a mandate to allow uranium mining,” said Greens MP Giz Watson.

“I do not have the confidence in our environmental and public health safeguards – the lead poisoning disaster in Esperance and ongoing issues with Alcoa’s operations are case in point,” said Ms Watson.

Senator Scott Ludlam warned that Commonwealth legal protections were of no use either.

“Peter Garrett has gone missing in action. Martin Ferguson is running the show, demanding uranium development at all costs. These are scary times.”

'Martin Ferguson wouldn't build a nuclear dump in Batman'

Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has challenged Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson to visit the site of a proposed nuclear dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory before giving the go-ahead.

Speaking before a protest rally in Alice Springs today ahead of a Senate Inquiry investigating whether the nuclear dump proposal should be stopped, Senator Ludlam said he was shocked at the extent to which traditional owners were being ignored by Minister Ferguson.

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?"

Hundreds of Western Australians are expected to join people from all over Australia in stepping up the call for renewable energy and steep action on climate change at the annual Walk Against Warming, 10am this Saturday at Cottesloe Beach.

Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam will challenge WA Premier Colin Barnett on his government's plans for coal, uranium and freeways rather than invest in a renewable economy.

"Climate change and peak oil are the most serious issues facing us today," Senator Ludlam said. "I am proud to be joining thousands of people this weekend to stand up for a renewable Western Australia.

The Australian Greens are urging Australia not to proceed with sales of uranium to Russia, in light of a new poll showing strong opposition to the plan.

The Australian Conservation Foundation commissioned Newspoll to conduct a survey of 1,200 people and revealed today that 62 per cent are opposed to selling uranium to countries with nuclear arms.

Greens Nuclear Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam says the poll shows the government is out of step with public opinion.