press siaiemem Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Peter Walsh 84//l 8

CO-OPERATION WITH JAPAN ON RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT

! am pleased to announce that- Japan and Australia have  agreed to co-operate in research and development of

technology for managing high level radioactive wastes.

This afternoon I discussed a range of issues of mutual

interest with Mr Isurugi,  the Minister for. Science and  Technology in Japan and we both welcomed and endorsed the

establishment of this collaboration between our two countries.

The Science and Technology Agency of Japan (STA) and my

Department, who will be responsible forÂ· the program, have  arranged for co-operative projects to be established through  designated institutions. The Australian Atomic Energy

Commission (AAEC) will be the lead institution for Australia  and the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) will  be the lead institution for Japan. The heads of these two .   organisations, Professor Brennan and Mr Fujinami, will sign  a Memorandum of Understanding tomorrow, to pave the way for

detailed research programmes to commence.

Initially co-operation will be on SYNROC, a material developed

by Professor Ringwood at the Australian National University

for the .immobilisation of high level radioactive waste. The  ANU will be collaboratingÂ·with.AAEC in the' co-operative program

with Japan. Subsequently co-operation may extend to other

areas of research as appr-opriate .  .

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The Government recognises that as a responsible supplier of  uranium Australia must be prepared to make a positive  contribution to the .international issue of radioactive

waste management, It is for this reason that the  Government has provided over $1.5 million for the research

and development of SYNROC under the National Energy Research,  Development and Demonstration Program. In addition the

Government has approved over $2.7 million over a three year

period for the construction of a non-radloactive pilot plant

'  .  :  " / 2

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at the AAEC to demonstrate the production of SYNROC in

full sized canisters.  As part of its uranium policy

decision of 7 November 198 3 j  the Government established .   the Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC)

Inquiry which, among other things, is to report on

existing overseas waste management technology and ways  in which Australia can contribute further to tlie  development of safe disposal methods.

International co-operative R&D agreements are a direct

means by which Australia can make a contribution in this  area. This is the second such agreement to be reached  in recent months, a similar agreement being signed with  the UK in December 1983Â·

I welcome the addition of this co-operative arrangement,   which has been effected through an exchange of diplomatic

notes between the Embassy of Japan in Canberra and the

Department of Foreign Affairs, to those already existing  with Japan in the areas of energy research and development

I see it as further evidence of continuing good relations  between Australia and Japan.

Enquiries: Mr I.W. Morison

(062) 458585 (BH)  (062) 731482 (AH)

CANBERRA

2 May 1984

