MEDIA RELEASE

( ÃÂ  HIFAR REACTOR

(Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for  Trade and Resources, the Rt Hon. J.D. Anthony, M.P.)

I have sent the following telex today to the  Premier of New South Wales,, the H o n .  Neville W r a n , Q.C. ,M.P.

"My dear Premier,

Thank you for your telex message of 29 October. .197 9 concerning media reports relating to the .  Â·

shut-down of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission's  research reactor at Lucas Heights. -

I am advised that, as part of the Commission's  comprehensive program of inspection and maintenance,  the HIPAR reactor is shut down every few years for  an extended period. During the present inspection,

it was considered desirable to replace some expansion  joints which have been in service since 1958. New  components will be manufactured and, as-a consequence  the planned shut-down period will be extended to ~ ’   March 1980. The replacement is a straight forward  operation.

The Commission has advised that there has been  no leakage of radioactive material from the reactor  and appropriate precautions are being Jtaken_to  prevent any possible hazards - physical-,- chemical and  radiation - during all stages of the shut-down. The  reactor will not be brought back into service until  the Commission is satisfied that all components are

performing to design specifications.

Yours sincerely,

.  J. D. ANTHONY."

The telex was in response to a request from Mr. Wran  for assurance that the HIFAR reactor was safe, and that there  had been no leakage of radioactive material. .  -  -

"I am glad to give Mr. Wran the assurances he asked  for," Mr. Anthony said. . . . . . .

"I find it disturbing that alarmist reports about leaks  from the HIFAR reactor have been given such wide circulation>  and that a straightforward engineering operation at the reactor  has been exaggerated out of all proportion.

.  "Sydney people have been unnecessarily alarmed. "

"The only people who would welcome this episode of  scare-mongering are those members of the noisy lobby determined  to halt the peaceful use of nuclear energy throughput the world."

CANBERRA 30.October, 1979 .  .  .  .

