Greens welcome Labor and Coalition's about-turn on nuclear subs motion

Labor and the Coalition's about-turn on their support for nuclear submarines is a welcome acknowledgment that they made a mistake yesterday in a Senate vote, Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown said today.

 Labor and the Coalition yesterday voted against Senator Brown's motion:

 That the Senate reject the proposal, backed by the former Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Reith, for Australia to purchase nuclear submarines serviced in the United States of America (US) or at a US base established in Australia.

But today the government asked for the vote to be recommitted and both parties accepted the motion.

 "What a difference a day makes," Senator Brown said.

 "Australia's stance should remain strongly against nuclear power and nuclear military hardware, and that includes housing nuclear vessels from other countries in our ports."

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