The Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2025 has passed the New South Wales Legislative Council, with the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) backing the move as a step towards a more consistent national uranium policy.

Introduced by Legislative Council member John Ruddick, the Bill seeks to dismantle New South Wales’ long-standing legislative barriers to uranium mining and nuclear development, which have been in place since 1986.

At its core, the legislation aims to repeal the Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Act 1986, effectively removing the legal framework that has prevented uranium mining in the state for nearly four decades.

The Bill also introduces consequential amendments to other laws, including removing Section 10A of the Mining Act 1992, which previously blocked the granting of mining authorisations for uranium projects.

References to the 1986 prohibition Act are also stripped from the Land and Environment Court Act 1979, further clearing the regulatory pathway for potential future developments.

According to the MCA, the repeal recognises the growing importance of uranium in supporting global decarbonisation efforts, as nuclear energy gains renewed attention as a low-emissions power source.

The MCA pointed to increasing global demand, noting that countries representing around 70 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) are now looking to nuclear energy to strengthen energy security while reducing emissions. In this context, Australia’s uranium reserves are seen as strategically significant.

The MCA also reiterated concerns over what it described as an inconsistent patchwork of state and territory regulations governing uranium mining.

While the Commonwealth does not prohibit uranium extraction, states such as New South Wales have historically maintained bans, in contrast to jurisdictions like South Australia, where uranium mining has operated under established regulatory frameworks.

The MCA said South Australia’s track record demonstrates the sector’s ability to operate safely while supporting regional employment, including workforces linked to areas such as Broken Hill.

With the Bill now set to be considered by the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, the MCA has urged lawmakers to assess the economic and strategic opportunities tied to uranium development.

If passed, the repeal would remove a key regulatory barrier and could position New South Wales to participate more actively in the global uranium supply chain as demand continues to rise.

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