Jv AUSTRALIA,/'  MINISTER FOR RESOURCES AND ENERGY   SENATOR GARETH EVANS Q.C.

27 April 1987

30/87

NEW ERA FOk NUCLEAR RESEARCH

The wide-ranging scientific field of nuclear-related  research and development today enters a new era m

Australia following the birth of the Australian Nuclear

Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTu).

Legislation establishing ANSTO to replace the Australian

Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC)  came into force this

morning. Appointments to AMSTO's Board of Directors became

effective simultaneously, ana the Board held its inaugural

meeting in Canoerra today.

The creation of ANSTO- will provide a new direction for

nuclear science and tecnnology in tnis country, it will

shift the focus of research away from work on the nuclear

fuel cycle, and in particular power generation - whicn was

the basis of the AAEC1s original charter - and towards

other peaceful and socially-beneficial uses of

radionuclides. .

In particular ANSTO will concentrate on radiation and

radioisotope applications in the medical, industrial,

agricultural and scientific fields, and will operate in a

more outward-looking and commercially oriented manner than

its predecessor.

ANSTO will oe "  allowed to undertake non-nuclear research

where this constitutes an efficient use or resources and

does not duplicate work undertaken oy other Commonwealtn

oodies. The legislation creating ANSTO expressly prohioits

tne organisation from undertaxing any researcn into the

design or production of nuclear weapons or other explosive

devices.

-ÃÂÂ­

Ã‘ Iso being proclaimed into effect today is an act

repealmy all the uttensive and outmoded provisions or the

Atomic Energy Act 19 5 J - a creature or the Cold War

containing draconian pun 1 snments on tne supply ot nuclear

information and related matters which bear no

relationship to present realities and have long been tne

subject of objections by civil lioertarlans.

New Board I

I am pleased to announce tnat Professor Richard E .  Collins

has been appointed Chairperson of ANSTO. Mr Brian J. Hill

has been appointed Deputy Cnairman wnile Hr Russell J.

Fynmore, Mr Henri M.j .  Meyer, D r John G .  Morris and D r

Peter M. Robinson nave been appointed Members of the Board.

Professor Collins is Professor of Applied Physics at

Sydney University, and nas a distinguished physics

research ana development background.  He has had

substantial commercial experience and was chairperson 01

tne Committee ot Review into the AAEC last year.

Mr Hill, Deputy Secretary of the Department or Resources  and Energy, was Deputy Chairman of tne AAEC.

Mr Fynmore is Executive General Manager of the Broken Hill

Proprietary Company Limited. lie has nau a wide range of

managerial experience, was a member or tne Review

Committee, anu will oriny a solid financial backgrounu to

the Boaru.

Mr Meyer is a former employee at tne Aa EC and now

President of the Association or Draughting Supervisory and

Technical Employees, tne largest union at the Lucas

Heights Research Establishment.  Mr Meyer was a member or

the Review Committee and was nominated by the ACTU as its

representative on the Board.

-3-

Dr i-lor ris, Director or Unclear Medicine ac Royer Prince

Alfred Hospital, Sydney, nas ueen a member or cue Aa EC

since May 1SBj .  He pioneered nuclear medicine in

Australia and nas an international repuration in this

field.

Dr Robinson is Group General Manager, Tecnmcai,  Metal

Manufactures limited. His technical experience m  areas

of relevance to potential applications or nuclear

techniques will be of particular benefit m  the

development of new uses and outlets for nuclear science

and technology.

This is a highly talented and dynamic Board w m c n  1 am

confident is well equipped to oversee the orientation or  AMSTD towards the practical application of nuclear science

and technology in Australia, along the lines' recommended

by the Collins Review of the A AEG presented in October

1986. -

The First Twelve Months

I have suggested to tne Board a list of "indicacive goals"

(attached) whicn might - subject to refinement after

further discussion and consultation - guide its

deliberations and actions in AMSTO's first tweive monchs.

I have indicated to the Board that I am conscious that,

wnile significant progress should be possible in the first

twelve months, particularly in the development or clear

and detailed planning strategies, it may take somewhat

longer tnan tnat for many of the necessary cnanges to be

implemented. .  .

-4-

hew Safety Review Committee

I an pleased to also announce today three appomtnents to

ttie new Safety Review Conn!ttee, established by the net,

which will review and assess the effectiveness of the

standards,  practices and procedures adopted by ANS'i'O.

The committee- will be cnaired oy tne Director 0 1 .’trie

Australian Radiation Laboratory, ur lCeitn n .  uokan.  Tne

Deputy Chairperson will Dr Jonn D. Harley, Acting i Director in the ilSw Department or health, dr Deter u.  tierborh, Assistant Planner in the Sutherland Shire  Council, nas also been appointed to the Committee and the  Government is presently considering several other possible  appointments. * * * * * * * CANBERRA AHSTO OuTElME OF IUDIVATiVE GOA^b FUR FIRST  TWELVE MOnVtiS i * " '  1 1. Carefully examine tne Review recommenua tions,  witn trie  objective wherever pract icaole or implementing them,  or at least making suostantial progress towards doing  so, within the first 1/ months. 2. Formulate and obtain Government endorsement of AnSTO's  objectives: tne interim objectives in Recommendation 4 (attacned)  seem a good basis for this. Estaolish a  corporate management plan and introduce program  budgeting to provide accurate laentincation of  project costs. 3. Review programs and starring against ANSi'O'  s  oujectives and the corporate plan, anu commence the  process or tailoring tne organisation co more  accurately reflect the new thrust of it operations. 4. Identify areas for potential cost recovery, and tne  possible extent thereof, noting tnat questions of  revenue and savings retention will in tne first  instance be pursued witn Department of Finance  officers oy the Department of Resources and Energy, m   consultation with AMSTO officers.  consider tne  appointment of a suitably qualified commercxal manager. 5. Take actions to enhance managerial efficiency and,  through clear communication or management objectives  and regular consultation with employees, improve  Ã¢ÂÂ¢  on-site morale and the industrial relations climate. 6. Take actions to improve the public relations of the organisation, including the estaoiishment of the proposed new communications facility. 7. Specific matters which I would like to see rully resolved within the first 12 months include: - Appointment of a long-term Executive Director - Estaoiishment of tne duclear safety Bureau - Future of the land reserve at Jervxs day - Proposed establishment of an Australian Centre  for Advanced Risk Engineering - Future of cyclotron project - Disposal of tne Cliftorook property at Coogee - question of non-nuclear projects wincn may be  undertaken by AUSTO, such as risk engineering  whicn in terms or the Act w i n  require a formal  Ministerial direction. 2 " V ti. Specific Matters on w m c n  1 uoulu like to see   substantial progress Made during tne first 12 Months   include: - Investigation of proposal to estaulisii a  technology parÃÂº at nucas Heights. - Consideration ot long tern future ot tilr'AK and  implications for associated existing and future  programs. CARSTH EVANS 26 April 1^87 COMMITTEE OF REVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC ENERGY COM MISSION c/o Department of Resources and Energy,  GPO Box 858, CANBERRA ACT 2601 Recommendation 4 ANSTO should adopt the following interim objectives: 1. To encourage and facilitate the utilisation of and benefits from, nuclear science and technology in medicine, industry, commerce,  agriculture, science, and the community at large. ~ 2. To maintain a - national centre of. scientific and technological  competence in nuclear science and technology by (a) developing and maintaining expertise in nuclear science and  technology and in areas of relevance to nuclear science and  technology (b) undertaking research and development, and maintaining an  awareness of overseas research and development, in areas  relevant to nuclear science and technology (c) establishing and operating major facilities related to nuclear  science and technology, including reactors and accelerators. 3. To provide expert technical advice and information to the  Government and the Australian community on matters relating to  nuclear science and technology, Including the Government's internatÂ­ ional Initiatives in nuclear affairs. 4. To contribute to international endeavours to seek technical  solutions to problems associated with nuclear activities including work  on improving safeguards technology, nuclear waste management anu  the environmental impact of nuclear activities. 5. To provide an appropriate range of commercial and technical  services and products, including the supply of essential radioisotopes  and radiopharmaceuticals. 6. To facilitate the training of scientific, technical and research  workers and the establishment and award of scientific research  studentships and fellowships in matters relating to nuclear science  and technology. 7. To make its expertise and facilities available to educational  institutions and other persons for the conduct of research and of  other activities related to nuclear science and technology.

Director in the ilSw Department or health, dr Deter u.

tierborh, Assistant Planner in the Sutherland Shire

Council, nas also been appointed to the Committee and the

Government is presently considering several other possible

appointments.

* * * * * * *

CANBERRA

AHSTO OuTElME OF IUDIVATiVE GOA^b FUR FIRST  TWELVE MOnVtiS

i * " '  1

1. Carefully examine tne Review recommenua tions,  witn trie  objective wherever pract icaole or implementing them,  or at least making suostantial progress towards doing  so, within the first 1/ months.

2. Formulate and obtain Government endorsement of AnSTO's  objectives: tne interim objectives in Recommendation 4 (attacned)  seem a good basis for this. Estaolish a  corporate management plan and introduce program  budgeting to provide accurate laentincation of  project costs.

3. Review programs and starring against ANSi'O'  s

oujectives and the corporate plan, anu commence the  process or tailoring tne organisation co more

accurately reflect the new thrust of it operations.

4. Identify areas for potential cost recovery, and tne  possible extent thereof, noting tnat questions of  revenue and savings retention will in tne first  instance be pursued witn Department of Finance  officers oy the Department of Resources and Energy, m

consultation with AMSTO officers.  consider tne  appointment of a suitably qualified commercxal manager.

5. Take actions to enhance managerial efficiency and,  through clear communication or management objectives  and regular consultation with employees, improve  Ã¢ÂÂ¢  on-site morale and the industrial relations climate.

6. Take actions to improve the public relations of the organisation, including the estaoiishment of the proposed new communications facility.

7. Specific matters which I would like to see rully resolved within the first 12 months include:

- Appointment of a long-term Executive Director

- Estaoiishment of tne duclear safety Bureau

- Future of the land reserve at Jervxs day

- Proposed establishment of an Australian Centre  for Advanced Risk Engineering

- Future of cyclotron project

- Disposal of tne Cliftorook property at Coogee

- question of non-nuclear projects wincn may be  undertaken by AUSTO, such as risk engineering  whicn in terms or the Act w i n  require a formal  Ministerial direction.

2 " V

ti. Specific Matters on w m c n  1 uoulu like to see

substantial progress Made during tne first 12 Months   include:

- Investigation of proposal to estaulisii a

technology parÃÂº at nucas Heights.

- Consideration ot long tern future ot tilr'AK and  implications for associated existing and future  programs.

CARSTH EVANS

26 April 1^87

COMMITTEE OF REVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC ENERGY COM MISSION

c/o Department of Resources and Energy,  GPO Box 858, CANBERRA ACT 2601

Recommendation 4

ANSTO should adopt the following interim objectives:

1. To encourage and facilitate the utilisation of and benefits from, nuclear science and technology in medicine, industry, commerce,  agriculture, science, and the community at large. ~

2. To maintain a - national centre of. scientific and technological  competence in nuclear science and technology by

(a) developing and maintaining expertise in nuclear science and  technology and in areas of relevance to nuclear science and  technology

(b) undertaking research and development, and maintaining an  awareness of overseas research and development, in areas  relevant to nuclear science and technology

(c) establishing and operating major facilities related to nuclear  science and technology, including reactors and accelerators.

3. To provide expert technical advice and information to the  Government and the Australian community on matters relating to  nuclear science and technology, Including the Government's internatÂ­ ional Initiatives in nuclear affairs.

4. To contribute to international endeavours to seek technical  solutions to problems associated with nuclear activities including work  on improving safeguards technology, nuclear waste management anu  the environmental impact of nuclear activities.

5. To provide an appropriate range of commercial and technical  services and products, including the supply of essential radioisotopes  and radiopharmaceuticals.

6. To facilitate the training of scientific, technical and research  workers and the establishment and award of scientific research  studentships and fellowships in matters relating to nuclear science

and technology.

7. To make its expertise and facilities available to educational  institutions and other persons for the conduct of research and of  other activities related to nuclear science and technology.

