5 years ago
GOVERNMENT FAILING TO SAFELY MANAGE NUCLEAR RADIATION
BRENDAN O’CONNOR MP
Reports today expose the government’s failure to ensure the safe management of radiation, with close to 600 incidents of nuclear radiation exposure occurring in Australia in 2017, as recorded by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
It is incumbent on the federal government to explain what measures it has in place to ensure the safe use, handling and storage of nuclear substances in Australia.
Currently it is not doing enough, with examples of skin exposure, contamination, spillages, and double doses.
Australians depend on nuclear technology for medicines used in the diagnosis of heart disease, skeletal injuries as well as a range of cancers. The community must be assured nuclear substances and waste is handled safely and with care.
An independent review by Professor Andrew Hopkins, which reported in October 2018, was commissioned to look at safety at ANSTO. Despite recommending the federal government commit to a replacement facility for Building 23, as soon as practicable, the government has no plans to do anything.
The government must stop with its cuts to science, research and innovation.
Instead of keeping an “open mind” about establishing a nuclear power plant in Australia, the government must fix the issues it already faces at ANSTO and the many other locations around the country where radioactive waste is currently managed.
It is incumbent on the federal government to explain what measures it has in place to ensure the safe use, handling and storage of nuclear substances in Australia.
Currently it is not doing enough, with examples of skin exposure, contamination, spillages, and double doses.
Australians depend on nuclear technology for medicines used in the diagnosis of heart disease, skeletal injuries as well as a range of cancers. The community must be assured nuclear substances and waste is handled safely and with care.
An independent review by Professor Andrew Hopkins, which reported in October 2018, was commissioned to look at safety at ANSTO. Despite recommending the federal government commit to a replacement facility for Building 23, as soon as practicable, the government has no plans to do anything.
The government must stop with its cuts to science, research and innovation.
Instead of keeping an “open mind” about establishing a nuclear power plant in Australia, the government must fix the issues it already faces at ANSTO and the many other locations around the country where radioactive waste is currently managed.