The federal opposition has criticised the federal government's nuclear policy, promising tough new safeguards for uranium exports if it wins next year's election.
The opposition leader, Kim Beazley has criticised the Prime Minister, John Howard, for leaving open the possibility of selling uranium to countries like India, who haven't signed up to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Mr Beazley says the recent nuclear deal between the United States and India is a policy mistake, and Australia should not follow suit.
"Australia must be the ally the US needs not the ally they want.
"Now on the US decision to cooperate with India's nuclear program, the Australian government has to have the wit and courage to say to the Americans: 'This is a serious error of judgement'."