MEDIA RELEASE BY HON. LES JOHNSON,  M.H.R. FOR HUGHES, OPPOSITION  WHIP, 2 BOYLE STREET, SUTHERLAND, PhoneÃÂ 521-6262 14.12.78

A.A.B.C. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS TO BE ISSUED IN JANUARY 1979 ' I

"The Atomic Energy Commission Environmental Survey Reports 1

for the years 1975 to date are to be issued in January, 1979" i

Mr. Johnson said yesterday. ^

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"This undertaking was given by the Minister for National

Development in answer to a detailed question by Mr. Johnson

which asked the Government to consider employing more staff

to ensure that no delay occurs in the compilation of the

records in the future.

Mr. Johnson said that last August,  when the matter was first

raised, the delay in issuing the reports was attributed

to staff shortages.

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"Four months later the Government is attempting to divest

itself of the responsibility for the failure of the Commission Ã¢ÂÂ   Ã¢ÂÂ I

to issue the reports by blandly stating that compilation of

the Environmental Survey Reports rests with the A.A.E.C. i

Safety Department. |

"The Government has full responsibility in ensuring that |

the safety of workers at the Establishment and residents ]

living nearby is not placed unnecessarily at risk", Mr. Johnson

said. I

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"No undertaking was given by the Government that delays will hot '. " r ’ :  _ i.Â·  I

occur in the compilation of the records in the future",  Mr. < .  Ã¢ÂÂ  Â·  Â· , - ,Ã¢ÂÂ   . i

Johnson added.

