THE SENATE

PRESS RELEASE

SENATOR PETER DURACK, QC  DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION  IN THE SENATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR RESOURCES  AND ENERGY

39/85

CHERNOBYL

The implications of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster require   rational and informed c o n s i d e r a t i o n  and debate. The m ass iv e   p r o b l e m  it p r e s e n t s  for the whole world is not going to be

resolved by hysterical and emotional statements but by calm and   reasoned judgements.

Above all it requires the clear understanding of the facts and   the best advice that can be obtained.

For this reason the Opposition has called upon the Government to   establish a Task Force of suitabl-y qualified, independent experts   to advise it on all the r a m i f i c a t i o n s  of this p r o b l e m  and to

report that advice to Parliament.

The Opposition is pleased to learn that the Australian Atomic   Energy C o m m i s s i o n  (A A E C ) has a lr e a d y  set up an internal task   force to examine all available information about the extent of   its consequences. However, we do not think this goes far enough   and that the Government should draw upon a wider field of experts   who are available in our universities as well as in the AAEC.

Such an Australian Task Force should also be asked to co-operate   with the I nt er n a t i o n a l  Atom ic  Ener gy  A g en cy  and the Nuclear   Energy Agency of the OECD.

Although it is far too early yet to estimate the full

consequences and implications of Chernobyl we are in a position   to make some judgements about the situation. In the first place   it is a matter of grave concern that for several days the Soviet

Union did not give any information that the disaster had

occurred.

In fact it was only after monitoring in the West picked up higher   than normal levels of radiation that the Soviets even

acknowledged that there was a problem.

Clearly there must be international agreement about the need to   report not only large disasters but any serious incidents which   occur to an international agency and to inform countries which   may be affected.

REPRESENTING IN THE SENATE — SHADOW  MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, FOREIGN AFFAIRS A N D  TRADE A N D  SHADOW  ATTORNEY-GENERAL

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This should be done without delay.

Secondly,  it is necessary to improve international co-operation   not only to achieve international safety standards but to require   ‘their observance :  ‘

Opposition policy has for some time called for higher standards   of safety than those currently laid down.  We should be working   to achieve acceptance of our own higher standards by all supplier   and user countries.

Thirdly,  the solution to the problem advanced by the Australian   Democrats that Australia should close all its uranium mines is   completely illusory and dangerous because it ignores the reality   of the world scene.

Whether we like it or not the nuclear industry is here to stay   for the foreseeable future.  Hundreds of millions of people   depend on nuclear power for their electricity needs and this is   more likely to grow than to diminish. At the end of 1984 there

were 318 power reactors in commercial operation in twenty six   countries and a further 226 reactors were under construction or   on order. .

Although Australia has about a quarter of the Western world's   resources of uranium these nuclear power stations can be supplied   and are supplied from other sources.  Closing our mines or   preventing the development of new ones will not make any   difference to the nuclear p’ ower industry.

These simplistic,  irrational solutions only divert attention from   the real problem.  We must work in conjunction with the rest of   the world to enhance our control over nuclear power.  We cannot   just wish it away.

CANBERRA .  '

7 MAY 1986  CONTACT: ROB HADLER (062) 72 7088, 72 7145

