MEDIA

ÃÂ  ?7 MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND ENERGY

RELEASE JOHN KERIN M.P.

CANBERRA

PIE89/190K 6 July 1989

REPORT OF CONTAMINATION ON ABORIGINAL LANDS

Primary Industries and Energy Minister, John Kerin, today said press  reports implying that information on plutonium contamination from  the British nuclear tests is being withheld from South Australian  Aboriginal people is completely false.

"Results of these studies have been made available to the Maralinga  Tjarutja community as they have come to hand," Mr Kerin said.

"Press reports today based on a London Times article suggest that my  Department has suppressed publication of a report prepared by the  Australian Radiation Laboratory (ARL) entitled 'Plutonium  Contamination in the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands'.

"The Report referred to has been provided to the Department of  Primary Industries and Energy by ARL in final draft form. The  report is the outcome of a study commissioned, and partly funded, by  my Department to assess the level of plutonium contamination of  Aboriginal land surrounding the Maralinga former Atomic Test site.

"However it is important to note that the information in the report  has already been made available to the Aboriginal people. The  report is to be published shortly by the Australian Radiation  Laboratory," Mr Kerin said.

"The ARL has been conducting radiation monitoring surveys on behalf  of my Department on these Aboriginal lands since early 1987.

"In addition to this work by ARL on Aboriginal land surrounding the  former test site, the Government is also undertaking major studies  into rehabilitation of the Maralinga Range itself. These studies  are being undertaken by a Technical Assessment Group (TAG) set up in

1987"and comprising scientists from Australia, United Kingdom and  the United States.

"The results of the studies are not yet complete and will be  presented to the Australian Government in mid-1990, at which time  the Government will decide on the appropriate rehabilitation option  for the site. The question of liability for funding rehabilitation  of the site has been set aside until the completion of the TAG  studies.

"The Government has shown a strong commitment to the TAG study  program and has made funds of $3m available since the studies  began. Broadly similar contributions to the study program have been  made available by the UK Government," Mr Kerin said.

Further Information : Susan Johnston (062) 777520

