MEDIA RELEASE TIM FISCHER MP

Member for Farrer

"Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs j

EMBARGO 5.00 PM SATURDAY 24 MAY

Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs and National Party Member   for Farrer Tim. Fischer said today that the Lucas Heights Atomic   Reactor played a vital role in facilitating nuclear medicine   across Australia. Mr Fischer was addressing the 60th Annual   Conference of the ACT Branch in Canberra on Saturday. _

"Last year the Australian Atomic Energy Commission produced and   sold $2.5 million of isotypes for nuclear medicine.

"70% of these nuclear isotypes have a half life of six hours and   air freight is used extensively to ensure the rapid delivery to   Repatriation Hospitals and General Hospitals around Australia.

"Fringe elements who would have Lucas Heights closed down as a   reaction to the Russian Nuclear tragedy ought to be aware of the   vital role played by nuclear medicine and this is a particularly   relevant factor for hundreds of veterans who reguire nuclear   medicine facilities for both examination and treatment.

Australian War Memorial

During his address Mr Fischer reiterated that he was strongly   opposed to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs Senator Gietzelt   using the Australian War Memorial.for a political function   relating to the controversial Veterans' Entitlements Act. ,

"The function last Thursday was located in the Memorial's   Sculpture Gallery and I have received strong expressions of .  concern from many veterans around Australia in relation to the   matter.

"Significantly the staff bulletin of the Australian War Memorial   dated 21 May said that the function took place specifically   ’as a result of ministerial direction'".

Mr FischerÂ· Said that the Australian War Memorial.had a vital and   sacred role which should not be trampled on by Ministers looking   for venues for political purposes. .

fENDS

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