DON’T FEAR

MISCONCEPTIONS about the safety of nuclear-powered submarines must be busted ahead of the ambitious project that could make Australia a global leader in the highly complex industry, the nation’s nuclear organisation has declared.

Wary Australians, particularly those on the far left of politics who are concerned AUKUS will somehow lead to another Chernobyl-style disaster, have been urged to respect the country’s long history in nuclear stewardship that predates the global nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is set to play a central role in developing and operating the country’s future nuclear-powered submarine fleet, building on 70 years of experience.

It’s often said Australia does not possess the nuclear expertise required to construct the complex boats – but ANSTO’s Group Executive of Nuclear Safety, Security and Stewardship, Miles Apperley, is out to change people’s minds.

“We’ve been operating nuclear reactors in Australia since 1958 continuously … and our nuclear experience has demonstrated Australia’s ability to comply with safeguard requirements,” Dr Apperley told The Advertiser in an exclusive interview to mark ANSTO’s 70th anniversary.

Australia first established a nuclear science industry in 1953 with the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, which ANSTO replaced in 1987.

Dr Apperley said ASNTO’s “track record of nuclear stewardship” is being used as a significant leveraging tool on the biggest stages in international diplomacy.

“It’s being leveraged significantly now to show that Australia can be trusted, and when we stand up beside the UK and US partners at the

IAEA and say we are going to commit to upholding the highest level of non-proliferation and safeguards, there is a lot of belief,” Dr Apperley said.

“With decades of stewardship and safe handling of material, we have generated an enormous benefit for the nation and built a huge international reputation in many areas – these are solid credentials from which Australia can lay this enterprise in the future.”

At its facility in Lucas Heights, NSW, ANSTO operates a 20-megawatt reactor powered with low-enriched uranium fuel to produce medical radioisotopes, from which almost every Australian will