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THE SENATE

PRESS RELEASE

SENATOR PETER DURACK, QC  DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION  IN THE SENATE SHADOW MINISTER FOR RESOURCES  AND ENERGY

10/87

The Hawke Government should abandon its irrational policies on   the development of uranium mines and the nuclear industry in   Australia. .

Speaking in the Senate on the legislation to replace the   Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) with a new

organisation to be known as the Australian Nuclear Science and   Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Senator Durack indicated the   Opposition's concern about the restrictions placed by the   Government upon the activities of ANSTO.

The growth in the international nuclear industry offers large   opportunities for Australia and we should not be turning our back   on the further development of indigenous nuclear technology where   it relates to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The Opposition is aware of the considerable concern that arose in   the Australian community about the development of the nuclear   fuel cycle following the accident at Chernobyl.

Since that accident there has been considerable investigation   (including by the AAEC) and reasoned debate about its effects.   The nuclear industry has been strengthened by the increased level   of international co-operation in this area that followed that   accident.

The international nuclear industry has not stood still. While   Chernobyl forced a re-evaluation, the nuclear ipdustry has kept   on growing.

During 1986 21 new reactors were connected to electricity grids   in various countries. 39 4 nuclear power reactors are now   commissioned providing 15% of world electricity. We must work in   conjunction with the rest of the world to enhance our control   over nuclear power. Vie can not just wish it away..

If Australia is to capitalise on the benefits offered by the   nuclear industry significant policy changes will be needed.   Implementation of the recommendations of the 1984 ASTEC report on   Australian involvement in the nuclear cycle wijll be a priority

for the Opposition on our return to Government.

We support the mining and milling of uranium, subject to   stringent Australian health and safety standards and will remove   the veto on the development of new uranium deposits.

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

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T h e  e x p o r t  o f  u r a n i u m  w i l l  b e  p e r m i t t e d  s u b j e c t  t o  e x i s t i n g   s t r i n g e n t  s a f e g u a r d s  a g r e e m e n t s  w h i c h  w e r e  pu t  in p l a c e  b y  the   F r a s e r  G o v e r n m e n t .

W e  w i l l  c o - o p e r a t e  w i t h  the i n d u s t r y  in a s s e s s i n g  the f e a s i b i l i t y   o f  e s t a b l i s h i n g ,  a c o m m e r c i a l  u r a n i u m  e n r i c h m e n t  i n d u s t r y  in   A u s t r a l i a  f o r  p e a c e f u l  p u r p o s e s  a n d , o f  c o u r s e , u n d e r  I A E A   s u p e r v i s i o n .

T h e  d e v e l o p m e n t  of n u c l e a r  w a s t e  h a n d l i n g  m e t h o d s  is a l s o  v e r y   i m p o r t a n t  a n d  v/e w i l l  c o n t i n u e  to s u p p o r t  t h e  d e v e l o p m e n t  o f   t e c h n o l o g y  f o r  t h e  s a f e  d i s p o s a l  o f  n u c l e a r  w a s t e s  s u c h  a s   S y n r o c .

R e m o v i n g  the a b i l i t y  of A u s t r a l i a  to m a k e  a f u r t h e r  and

s i g n i f i c a n t  c o n t r i b u t i o n  to the d e v e l o p m e n t  of the n u c l e a r  fuel   c y c l e  is n o t  in t h e  b e s t  i n t e r e s t s  of t h e  n o n - p r o l i f e r a t i o n   r e g i m e .

T h e  A S T E C  R e p o r t  s t r e s s e d  that w o r l d  s e c u r i t y  a n d  n u c l e a r   n o n - p r o l i f e r a t i o n  ar e  b e s t  e n h a n c e d  w h e n  th e  s u p p l y  and   p r o c e s s i n g  of f i s s i l e  m a t e r i a l  for p e a c e f u l  p u r p o s e s  is in the   h a n d s  o f  a l i m i t e d  n u m b e r  of n a t i o n s  all of w h i c h  a r e  p l e d g e d  to   o b s e r v e  a n d  e n f o r c e  the n o n - p r o l i f e r a t i o n  of n u c l e a r  w e a p o n s .

A u s t r a l i a  is s u c h  a n a t i o n  a n d  s h o u l d  be f u l l y  i n v o l v e d  in the   n u c l e a r  f u e l  c y c l e .

C A N B E R R A  -

18 F E B R U A R Y  1 9 8 7

C O N T A C T :  J O H N  H A Y T O N  ( 0 6 2 ) 7 2  7 0 8 8 , 7 2  7 1 4 5 , ( 0 9 ) 2 2 1  1277, 344 7611

