P A R L I A M E N T  O F  A U S T R A L I A

H O U S E  O F ’ R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

PARLIAMENT HOUSE . .  CANBERRA, A.C.T 2600  TEL. 72 1211

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S T A T E M E N T  FROM THE H O N  A. S. PEACOCK,

The S h a d o w  M i n i s t e r  for F o r e i g n  A f f a i r s , Mr A n d r e w  P e a c o c k , said

t o d a y  that the P r ime M i n i s t e r ' s  r e s p o n s e  to the C h e r n o b y l

d i s a s t e r  was i n a d e q u a t e  and u n r e s p o n s i v e  to the m a g n i t u d e  of the

a c c i d e n t .

Mr P e a c o c k  said that S a t u r d a y ' s  d i s a s t e r  at the C h e r n o b y l  nuclear

power s t a t i o n , p o s s i b l y  inv o l v i n g  the m e l t  d own of a rea c t o r

core, r a i s e d  ser i o u s  q u e s t i o n s  for the e n t i r e  world. The fact

that the G o v e r n m e n t  had yet to a d d r e s s  itself to a n y  positive'.,, Â» ' Â·. . . - Ã¢ÂÂ   Â·

measures that could be introduced through our membership of the^

International Atomic Energy Agency indicated its complete lack of'

priorities. -  .

Mr Peacock noted that the ChernobylÂ· plant was only nine years old

and was not regarded as a first generation reactor. The

comparative jiewness of the plant raises disturbing questions as

to Soviet nuclear safety practices and must be a cause for

deep international c o n cern. ,  Ã¢ÂÂ

Mr Peacock stated that the Soviet authorities lack of. candour was

a damning indictment of the principles by which Soviet society is

controlled. With a radioactive cloud now floating across

northern Europe, Soviet silence could only be described as .

disgraceful. Ã¢ÂÂ   Â·  Ã¢ÂÂ   '

Mr- Peacock said he was disappointed that in the Prime Minister's

answer to the House today, he could only bring himself to

describe the Soviet's grudging vagueness as "regrettable".

Despite the Soviet Union's appalling record of lack of

co-operation on matters to do with nuclear energy, Mr Peacock

said it was most encouraging to contrast this with the quick

offers by many Western Governments to assist with the disaster.

In this regard, it was regrettable that the Australian Government

had yet to initiate any recommendations as a result Chernobyl.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CON T A C T : Stephen Brady 72 7724

