Antinuclear

Push for Australian nuclear bomb is revived

Nation given N-bomb warning * Christian Kerr  The Australian * December 14, 2009 AUSTRALIA may be forced to acquire nuclear weapons to tackle deteriorating Asian security, a government-funded defence think tank has warned. Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Rod Lyons said a loss of confidence in US nuclear deterrence or the appearance of a new nuclear state in Asia could force Australia to take the nuclear arms option.

The comments will embarrass Kevin Rudd ahead of the launch of the report from the international commission on nuclear disarmament during his visit to Japan this week.

Former prime minister John Gorton gave tacit approval for a nuclear weapons program in 1969 when he endorsed plans for a nuclear power industry and backed proposals by the Australian Atomic Energy Commission for a reactor capable of generating weapons-grade plutonium.

Nation given N-bomb warning | The Australian

December 14, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, weapons and war | antinuclear, Australia, nuclear, nuclear weapons