Australia a "Strategic Nuclear Concern"

I've recently been pondering John Howard's rationale for the rapid development of a nuclear industry in Australia. His statements over the past few months and the insistent catapulting approach (after 11 years in office - there has been plenty of prior opportunity...) lead me to wonder about the development of home grown nuclear weapons.

Does Howard want Australia to have nuclear weapons? Does he see a nuclear Australia as a deterrent against invaders wanting to ransack our mineral wealth? Does the Prime Minister see Australia's role as Deputy Sherriff in the South Pacific expanding to one of "middle power in Asia with big stick?"

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute is certainly concerned about Australia becoming a country that is a "Strategic Nuclear Concern". According to SIPRI, "these countries have components of a nuclear fuel cycle and therefore play an important role in the context of nuclear nonproliferation while having the technological potential for developing nuclear weapons."

Australia has had a leading role in the international non-proliferation movement over the past 35 years. Why is it acceptable to now trade in this reputation for perceived short term economic or defence gains?

The challenge for John Howard is to come clean on his motives for the development of a nuclear industry that can process nuclear grade weapons material. He cannot attempt to hide behind the global warming debate, a debate in which he is both late to and agnostic.

I ask again: Does John Howard want Australia to build it's own nuclear weapons capability?