Non-Proliferation Safeguards At Risk Of Compromise Laurie Brereton - Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

Media Statement - 16 June 2000

The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, today drew attention to the Howard Government's failure to address the critical shortfall in resources available to the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO).

"The serious disparity arising from a greatly increased workload and inadequate staffing risks compromise of ASNO's implementation of Australia's nuclear safeguards and contributions to the strengthening of international measures to prevent proliferation of chemical and biological weapons", Mr Brereton said.

"ASNO plays a critical role in Australia's efforts to help combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Notwithstanding its vital work, ASNO has not received the resources it requires to operate to its full potential. Indeed it lacks the critical mass necessary to remain viable in the medium to long term."

Located within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, ASNO is responsible for Australia's national system of accounting for nuclear material subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, and ensuring Australia's uranium exports are used exclusively for peaceful purposes in accordance with Australia's bilateral safeguards agreements. In recent years, ASNO's responsibilities have expanded significantly to include implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

"ASNO's responsibilities will grow further in a challenging non-proliferation environment", Mr Brereton said. "Yet ASNO remains extremely modest in size with only twelve staff."

The seriousness of this resource shortfall was highlighted in the most recent annual report by ASNO's Director-General, John Carlson:

'An area requiring ongoing attention is the maintenance of ASNO's funding at a level to ensure viability. In 1989 the Australian Safeguards Office was subject to external review, which concluded that the then staffing level of 14 was a minimum for the effective performance of its nuclear responsibilities. In the subsequent ten years there has been a process of continual attrition, due to failure to establish a satisfactory initial base, the cumulative effects of the 'efficiency dividend', and the impact of general Public Service cut-backs. Over the same period there has been a substantial increase in workload, with the increasing quantity of nuclear material covered by Australia's network of bilateral [safeguards] agreements and the increasing complexity of international issues and developments. … the present staffing level cannot be considered viable in the medium term'.

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Labor called five months ago for Foreign Minister Downer to address the shortfall in ASNO's resources". Mr Brereton said. "In reply to questions by Labor at a Senate Estimates hearing last month, ASNO

revealed that its staffing level for the forthcoming financial year will be increased -- by one officer only. This is a totally inadequate response to what is a serious national security issue. At present the number of staff devoted to nuclear safeguards issues is seven - half the number identified as the minimum required more than a decade ago."

"The severe shortfall in ASNO's resources is all the more striking when compared against today's revelation of a massive blow-out in the projected cost of the planned new Lucas Heights nuclear reactor. ASNO's total budget expenditure for 1998-1999 was a minuscule $1.36 million. Australia's non-proliferation safeguards are clearly not being given the priority our national security demands."

"If Australia is to play an active and effective role combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we must invest the resources required to ensure our specialised non-proliferation agency is fully staffed and equipped to maximise its effectiveness. We must also invest further in research and development of new verification technologies."

"The Howard Government's failure to give any serious consideration to these critical resource issues will inevitably erode Australia's ability to pursue our non-proliferation objectives and damage our national security.

Authorised by Geoff Walsh, 19 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600.

