FORMER prime minister Bob Hawke says Australia should start enriching uranium and disposing of nuclear waste in its most geologically stable state and territory.

The former Labor leader told a Cooperative Research Centres Association conference in Perth today that nuclear power was an integral element in tackling climate change, but had been vexed by the issue of safe disposal.

Based on a 25-year-old report made to him by Ralph Slayter — who he appointed Australia’s first chief scientist in 1989 — Mr Hawke said the best sites were in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

“It would, of course, be entirely appropriate that before any action is taken along the lines I am suggesting, another expert scientific investigation be undertaken to confirm the accuracy of the information,” Mr Hawke said.

“If Australia has — as we do — the safest remote locations for storing the world’s nuclear waste, we have a responsibility to make those sites available for this purpose.”

Mr Hawke said he had not yet discussed the matter with WA Premier Colin Barnett but believed he would entertain “a constructive consultation on it”.

He said he had discussed it with the chief minister of the Northern Territory, Adam Giles, and he was “an ardent supporter”.

Mr Hawke said he had spoken with some Aboriginal leaders about it and they saw merit in the proposal as it would bring in massive incomes and advance their communities.

Australia holds about 40 per cent of the world’s uranium deposits but only exports yellowcake, so if it enriched the commodity, it could offer “a complete package”.

“This is a case where in doing good for the rest of the world, we can, in the process, do enormously well for the Australian economy,” Mr Hawke said.

He also criticised the federal government for cutting $80 million from the Cooperative Research Centre program over the forward estimates.