The kingmaker Greens are beginning to use their influence on the prime minister and her court.

Greens nuclear spokesman Scott Ludlam disclosed his party will stop planned uranium mines, phase out three existing mines, and halt mineral exports by pulling strings they have with the Labor party.

Opposition spokesman for energy and resources Ian Macfarlane emphasized that strong sentiments about the mining industry “could be the first sign of a potentially untenable coalition.” He said, “Gillard needs to go on the record on this... The reality is that it's now a coalition and Julia Gillard is the leader of that coalition.”

Macfarlane added, “The Greens are obviously wasting no time in asserting their leverage in this coalition.” The opposition spokesman noted that the prime minister has remained at bay when the Greens “attacked the coal industry.”

“I think the Prime Minister needs to come out and state her position absolutely, unequivocally on uranium and coal mining. If she wavers or ducks the issue then she's giving some sort of tacit support to this push by the Greens,” Macfarlane said.

The opposition speaker is also urging the coalition leader to expand the mineral resources rent tax (MRRT) by including uranium.”