

NSW GOVERNMENT



M ME ED DI IA A  S ST TA AT TE EM ME EN NT T

V Ve er riit ty y  F Fiir rt th h

M Miin niis st te er r  f fo or r  W Wo om me en n

M Miin niis st te er r  f fo or r  S Sc ciie en nc ce e  a an nd d  M Me ed diic ca all  R Re es se ea ar rc ch h   M Miin niis st te er r  A As ss siis st tiin ng g  t th he e  M Miin niis st te er r  f fo or r  H He ea allt th h  ( (C Ca an nc ce er r) )   M Miin niis st te er r  A As ss siis st tiin ng g  t th he e  M Miin niis st te er r  f fo or r  C Clliim ma at te e  C Ch ha an ng ge e,,  E En nv viir ro on nm me en nt t  a an nd d  W Wa at te er r

EMBARGOED until 5am on Thursday, 13 December 2007

NSW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MAJOR PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO NANOTECH

As part of its continuing efforts to better understand the potential risks and benefits  associated with nanotechnology, the NSW Government has initiated a parliamentary  inquiry into this relatively new field of scientific endeavour - becoming the first state  or territory to do so.

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter at the atomic or molecular level -  lengths equivalent to 1/100,000th the diameter of a human hair.

Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth said nanotechnology has the  very real potential to transform many sectors of the NSW economy, leading to new  products, new businesses, new jobs and even new industries.

“Nanotechnology offers the promise of breakthroughs that will revolutionise the way  we detect and treat disease; monitor and protect the environment; and produce and  store energy,” said Ms Firth.

“But before the technology’s full potential can be released, safety and ethical  concerns need to be assessed by governments.”

Some groups have already raised anxieties about the technology’s possible negative  implications for human health and the natural environment.

“That’s why I’ve written to the Legislative Council's Standing Committee for State  Development asking it to investigate the potential environmental, health, safety, legal  and ethical implications or uncertainties that may arise from the development and  use of nano-material and products,” said Ms Firth.

“As the use of man-made nano-materials become more common, we want to make  sure they will not have unexpected consequences for people or the environment.

“The inquiry will seek to reassure the community as well as make sure the  Government’s regulatory arrangements are both adequate and appropriate.

“Ultimately we want a balanced and informed approach to nanotechnology.”







Nanotechnology is already being used in a range of everyday products including  electronics, computer displays, optical fibres, pharmaceuticals, prosthetics,  sunscreens, self-cleaning windows, paints, varnishes and stain-resistant clothing.

“While the NSW Government is already cooperating with the Commonwealth  Government on the development of a National Nanotechnology Strategy, the inquiry  I’m announcing today will help ensure our State is well positioned to benefit in a way  that is safe, responsible and ethical,” said Ms Firth.

“What’s more, a number of national and international organisations are also working  to define protocols and guidelines for the use of nanotechnology, including  Standards Australia, NanoSafe, the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and  the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).”

Ms Firth said the NSW Government is committed to promoting innovation through  the provision a clearly defined regulatory framework.

“As well as investigating the potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology, the  parliamentary inquiry will be looking at the skills, education and research needed to  ensure that NSW remains a responsible leader in this field,” said Ms Firth.

The NSW Government has recently provided $4 million for nanotechnology R&D.

The parliamentary inquiry’s final report is due by the end of October next year.



TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INQUIRY INTO NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NSW…

To examine and report on:  Ã¯ÂÂ· Current and future applications of nanotechnology in the NSW community and industry;  Ã¯ÂÂ· The health, safety and environmental risks and benefits;  Ã¯ÂÂ· Appropriateness of the current regulatory frameworks in operation nationally and in NSW

for management of nanomaterials over their lifecycle;  Ã¯ÂÂ· Education and skills development related to nanotechnology;  Ã¯ÂÂ· Adequacy of the National Nanotechnology Strategy in the NSW context;  Ã¯ÂÂ· Community understanding of nanotechnology, and possible public awareness and

engagement options.







Media contact: Jeff Singleton 0410 476 890







NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NSW…

Ã¯ÂÂ· The NSW Innovation Statement specifically identifies manufacturing and  medical research as critical to the NSW economy.  Emerging platform  technologies, such as nanotechnology, are enabling those sectors to develop  innovative products and processes.

Ã¯ÂÂ· Nanotechnology is a key driver of innovation in NSW’s manufacturing,  biotechnology, and medical device industries.

Ã¯ÂÂ· Companies that are adopting and applying the new technologies include:

o CAP-XX develops high-power, high-energy storage devices to make  smaller, thinner and longer-running products such as mobile phones,  PDAs, medical devices etc;

o Nanotec Pty Ltd produces wood and glass sealants;  o Nanovations develops coatings with applications in the building,  construction and marine industries;  o Sirtex is developing liver cancer treatments using novel small particle

technology;  o Global companies with significant investments in NSW, such as Canon  and Fujitsu, also utilise nanotechnologies in their research and

manufacturing processes.



Ã¯ÂÂ· NSW is also home to several institutions specialising in cutting-edge  nanotechnology research:

o Macquarie University’s Department of Physics is home to two  nanotechnology research facilities focused on optical and laser  processes;

o The new Advanced Materials Centre at the University of Wollongong  will host a base for electro-materials research, incorporating expertise  from the University of Newcastle's Centre for Organic Electronics;

o The University of Western Sydney, together with UNSW, form a  research node for the Centre for Excellence in Functional  Nanomaterials;

o The University of Western Sydney (UWS) Nanotechnology Project  transfers opportunities in nanotechnology to the manufacturing  industries of the Campbelltown/Camden region;

o The University of Sydney is the lead institution in the Australian  Microscopy and Microanalysis research facility - a lead national facility  for the characterisation of nanoparticles and nanomaterials.

