Persuasive Series

Should we or not ban Uranium mining?

As a warning this topic is specifically for Australia.

Should we ban uranium or not in Australia? I believe this topic to be false. 

Here are some opposition arguments [TIP: When doing an oral speech, it is always good to have opposing arguments to prove how your argument is better]

Pollutes earth, can be cause for global warming

However this is illogical because, this is a topic that I will expand on later but to give a quick overview. In Australia, we have safety measures to ensure that pollution is minimalised by radioactivity. To give an example, Australia has many certifications to ensure that uranium rock and radioactive waste does not pollute the earth comparable to coal. All the radioactive material from the associated minerals in the ore processed ends up in the tailings dam.

When making a rebuttal, restate what the opposition said then use your speech argument plus new information to be able to prove why you are better, use language such as;

The opposition (affirmative/negative) has stated that ___ however this standpoint/argument/case is completely illogical/flawed etc.

Contributes to nuclear instability around the world due to its use in weapons, terrorists

Yes, this can be true, which is sad, but this is wrong in uranium mining specifically in Australia. In Australia, we sell uranium to a variety of countries and never use it for ourselves, which means we are not intending to hurt people and to keep people safe. This is seen with who we sell it to. The Australian government is really careful with choices like this, an example would be when former Prime Minister Abbott in 2014 stopped selling uranium to Russia due to the breach of international laws Russia does as he puts it and the bullying to Ukraine by Russia. This only proves that Australia is helping to stop nuclear instability.

Effects Indigenous Australian land that is special etc.

[With this specific argument, can only mainly be argued from an Australian point of view]

However, a lot of Indigenous Australians are not opposed to this, the Australian government actually talks about this in their articles. "Not all indigenous owners are opposed to uranium mining, including some who currently have operational mines on their land." Also with respect to Indigenous Australians, we only have about 3 or 4 mines so then we are not affecting or disrespecting all sacred land. The Australian government is proposing new land to mine uranium so that Indigenous Australians can be at peace with things.

Dangerous to health (Humans)

Anything that is mined could be dangerous; in fact, practically anything could be dangerous. Everything has risks, like walking to school, getting hit by a bus, or putting something in the microwave and blowing it up. However, I am careful and take precautions. I always look both ways before crossing a road, I am careful with what I put in the microwave. In uranium mining, for example, there are safety rules put in place by the government. They have legislation, commonwealth agreements, a mining closure plan, etc. as examples. They wear simple gear like gloves and masks when mining. Moreover, uranium itself is used for scientific and medical purposes, and some of the created uranium is used to create medical isotopes.

It would help the economy 

However, I don't know how you would get an answer that banning uranium will help the economy. This has mainly been talked by our 1st negative speaker but I will say briefly, Australia is very much dependent on mining- we gain a lot of money from uranium mining, we sell to a variety of places like China. Shutting down these mines will only do harm rather than good, as it would cost money in order to shut them down and the possible future earnings will be gone.