Economics Legislation Committee - Budget Estimates Hearing 2013-14

Economics Legislation Committee - Budget Estimates Hearing 2013-14

Senator LUDLAM: Thank you. How many court cases or legal proceedings is ANSTO engaged in at present with current or former employees?

Dr Paterson: I will take that on notice.

Senator LUDLAM: Are there a number of them?

Dr Paterson: I am not absolutely sure of the exact number at the moment. It is a small number, but I would like to be accurate in respect of the number I provide.

Senator LUDLAM: More than zero. So, yes, take that one notice. ................

Economics Legislation Committee - Budget Estimates Hearing 2013-14

3 and 4 June 2013

Senator LUDLAM: Thank you. You recall reviews that we have been following for a while, which were conducted in 2011 and 2012, into health and safety culture at ANSTO, and related incidents, accidents, sacking of whistleblowers, and so on. Several of these documents do report improvements at ANSTO and have made recommendations for further improvements. Can you tell us how you are tracking implementation of further improvements of health and safety culture at ANSTO?

Between 1952 and 1963, approximately 16,000 Australian civilians and serviceman were exposed to nuclear fallout when British nuclear weapons were tested at the Montebello Islands in Western Australia, Maralinga and Emu fields in South Australia, and over the Christmas and Malden Islands.

"Today Australians mark the sacrifice, suffering and deaths of our servicemen and women in all wars, but unfortunately some of our veterans have been forgotten," said Australian Greens spokesperson on nuclear policy, Senator Scott Ludlam.

Liberal MP Dennis Jensen's nuclear obsession will put Western Australia at risk, the Greens warned today.

Senator for WA Scott Ludlam said Dr Jensen's push for Australia to acquire nuclear submarines and to turn Western Australia into a "high-traffic service station" for American nuclear vessels was "counter-factual and dangerous".

"Successive governments have indulged in a series of expensive debacles chasing military hardware - the Member for Tangney wants to continue that dubious tradition by pursuing second-hand American nuclear submarines.

Topic: Supervising Scientist - Senate Report into the adequacy of federal regulation of uranium mining 

(29/05/13)

Senator Ludlam asked:

Senator LUDLAM: The report was actually highly critical of the regulatory regime at Ranger. It described it as complex and inadequate. Could you provide detail on how OSS has addressedthe recommendations of that inquiry as they had bearing specifically on the Ranger operation?

More than two years after the Fukushima disaster began, 300 tonnes of highly radioactive water has poured into the sea from one of 1060 giant tanks storing the deadly liquid.

"The Australian-fuelled Fukushima catastrophe continues with TEPCO operators calling for international assistance to cope with the most recent leak, which they describe as a ‘serious incident'," said Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

"Cesium 137, Strontium 90 and other radioactive poison is spewing into the Pacific Ocean every day.

With Japanese Authorities declaring the worsening situation at Fukushima an "emergency", Labor candidate for Perth Alannah MacTiernan has made a baffling pitch for nuclear power to stay in contention for Australia's energy mix.

"The nuclear industry is falling apart worldwide in the wake of Fukushima, the global financial crisis, uncontrollable costs, and overwhelming competition from renewable energy," Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said today. Senator Ludlam will debate Ms MacTiernan tonight in Perth.

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Legislation Committee

Answers to questions on notice

Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio
Budget Estimates, May 2013

Topic: Wiluna uranium project - mine closure plan

Senator Ludlam asked: