PRESS STATEMENT 31 THE MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. E.W* SWARTZ

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PROPOSED JERVIS BA? NUCLEAR POWER STATION

The Minister for National Development (Mr. Swartz) said

today his attention had been drawn to statements in the Press

regarding the proposed nuclear power station at Jervis Bay.

Mr. Swartz said "I wish to confirm that the position

is as stated by the Prime Minister at his recent press conference.

"Intensive discussions have been concluded with the

prospective tenderers; preliminary arrangements have been made with

the New South Wales authorities.

"As I announced at the time, I received in March the

recommendations from the Australian Atomic Energy Commission,

No decision has yet been taken on the proposal.

"The tenders received involved higher prices than had been

anticipated and therefore a further analysis is being made of the

economic aspects of the project"

The matter is now under detailed consideration in the

Department of National Development and he hopes to be in a position

shortly to make a recommendation to the Government,

CANBERRA 1st June, 1971

