Leader oi ihv Opposition

Statement by Bill Hayden, M.P.

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Today1s report in The Australian Financial Review on the plutonium

problem at Maralinga is deeply disturbing.

.  It demands immediate action and explanations from the Fraser

Government.  " .  .

The Government has been reassuring the Australian public for more .

than a year that adequate controls and safeguards are available to provide

essential security arrangements for nuclear material. .

Now, it would seem that this is not true even within Australia, let

alone in those countries which might buy Australian uranium.

For nearly two years, the Government has denied or evaded questions

about nuclear security problems at Maralinga. .  Â·

Now, it would seem that this, too, was a deliberate deception. .

The Fraser Government cannot .expect to retain credibility in the rest

of the world when it professes its commitment to nuclear safeguards while '

this situation exists within Australia. .  Ã¢ÂÂ   .  '  '

If it is a fact, as reported, that the Government's own advisers Ã¢ÂÂ   .

fear that the handling of the Maralinga plutonium problem, in accordance with '

international obligations, is beyond the technical capacity of the Atomic

Energy Commission, then the Government's pretensions to a. leading role in. an

international nuclear industry are-all the more absurd. ;  Â·  '

. .  Last year, in response to parliamentary questioning, the Government

gave an assurance that it was arranging a further check on,;the safety of

Maralinga.  We have heard nothing about the results of that check. '

WeÂ· have also heard nothing from the Government about the reported

1958 agreement "with Britain absolving the U.K. authorities from any responsibility

for safety and accountability at Maralinga. 'Â· .

.The Australian people are entitled to know what is involved in that

secret agreement. It should be published immediately. There is no possible

question of a security matter being at stake at this stage —  if, indeed,

there ever was. .  .  Ã¢ÂÂ   .  .  '  .

The proposal that, even now, Australia should attempt to hand the

Maralinga problem back to Britain shows just how bereft of initiative this

Government is. .  .  '  .

The Government must face up to its responsibilities, be honest with .

the Australian people and cease this dangerous buck-passing.

CANBERRA October 5, 1978.

