FOR PRESS

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Defence PR/n/3/65

:  Statement by Senator the Hon. Shane Paltridge Minister for Defence.

Removal of Restrictions at Monte Bello  Island

'  It is expected that it will soon be possible to

remove some or all of the Monte Bello Islands from the

restrictions imposed by the Defence Special Undertakings Act.

The Minister for Defence, Senator Shane Paltridge,

said today that combined Navy/Army team would leave Perth

tomorrow, Friday, March 12th, aboard HMAS Diamantina for the

Islands . The team has the technical support of the Department

of Supply.

After the British atomic weapon tests in the Monte

Bello Islands in 1952 and 1956, there was residual radioÂ­

activity which made it unsafe for persons to enter some parts

of the area without special protective clothing. However

the natural process of decay of radioactivity has proceeded

to a stage where only a relatively small area is now affected.

Radioactive ground will be fenced off and clearly marked by

signs.

Senator Paltridge said that an expert examination

of all aspects of any hazards involved to the public has

been made by the Atomic Weapons Tests Safety Committee, of

which Professor E.W. Titterton was Chairman.

