MlWi BY THE MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

N,.D.. 30 JERYIS BAY NUCLEAR POWER STATION PROJECT

The Government has deferred a decision on the Jervis Bay-  Nuclear Power Station pending clarification of a number of  circumstances relevant to the project,., the Minister for National  .Development, Sir Reginald Swartz said today...

The Minister said that when a decision is taken it would  be necessary for Australia to purchase a reactor from overseas  However, in the U.S..AÂ·. where the light water reactors were developed,,  safety standards and operating practices are being reviewed and  no finality is expected for some time on the definition of safety

criteria.Â· In the U.K.. the Central Electricity Generating Board:  had not selected any reactor system for the next generation of  power reactors. ,  In these circumstances,, the Government considered  that it would be inappropriate to take a decision on the Jervis  Bay Power Station at the present time.. .

Sir Reginald said that in addition to these factors it  is difficult to predict the time at which State Electricity  generating authorities will begin to install nuclear power on  a commercial basis in Australia.Â·

Currently there is considerable activity in the  assessment of natural resources, and re-examination of general  policy for their development and u se,  including the policies to  be followed for the generation of electricity> This re-examination

includes attention to the effects of resources policy and present  and future practices,  on the environment. .

The Minister said that the Atomic Energy Commission will  continue to stud;/ nuclear power station development and experience  overseas, with particular attention to safety and environmental  aspects. Collaborative studies between the Commonwealth and the  States on establishing licensing and regulatory procedure for  nuclear power and nuclear fuel in Australia will also continue . Â·  .

Collaboration between the Commission and State generating authorities  will be encouraged to help to ensure that the advent of nuclear  power into Australia will occur under the most favourable conditions  .with respect to the protection of the public interest and the

environment. Ã¢ÂÂ

Sir Reginald said that as soon as progress has been made  in the areas mentioned above the question of a Jervis Bay Nuclear  Power Station would again be'' considered by the Government.

'CANBERRA..  .  .

June 23, 1972.

