Nuclear and Uranium Related Expenses in Australia’s Federal Budget 2013
Nuke Dump – $35.7m over 4 years National Radioactive Waste Management — securing a site and First Stage business case to “secure suitable volunteer site” and undertake initial scoping and design work, establish a Regional Consultative Committee and First State business case. (p253 bp2)-
Counsellor in New Delhi – $3.1m over 4 years to continue posting a Resources, Energy and Tourism Counsellor in New Delhi – is this to do with Uranium??
ANSTO = $38.7m for decommissioning High Flux Nuclear Reactor and $8.1 m for increasing costs of running OPAL Nuclear Reactor (nuclear fuel and electricity) Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation — additional funding for decommissioning and nuclear waste management activities
ARPANSA = $ 7.8 m over four years Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency — improving Australia’s capacity to deliver effective radiation protection and nuclear safety to enhance capacity to issue new licences and undertake compliance, upgrade Yallambie and to address workplace health and safety issues. 5.1 m to be recovered through revising licencing fees and testing fees.
Rum Jungle radioactive decontamination funds = 1.5 this year.
More detail on these nuclear-related expenses in the Budget:
National Radioactive Waste Management — securing a site and First Stage business case The Government will provide $35.7 million over four years to secure a suitable volunteer site and undertake initial scoping and design work required to address Australia’s future radioactive waste management requirements as set out in the National Radioactive Waste Management Act 2012. The measure includes funding to conduct site characterisation studies, establish a Regional Consultative Committee and develop a First Stage business case in accordance with the Two Stage Approval Process for Australian Government Construction Projects.
This measure also provides funding of $50,000 in 2013‑14 to the Department of Finance and Deregulation for the Gateway Review Process.
Resources, Energy and Tourism Counsellor in New Delhi — continuation The Government will provide $3.1 million over four years to continue posting a Resources, Energy and Tourism Counsellor in New Delhi, India. The counsellor promotes strategic cooperative arrangements and coordinates key engagements with India.
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation — additional funding for decommissioning and nuclear waste management activities The Government will provide $28.7 million over four years to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) for the management of nuclear liabilities. The funding will be used to continue the decommissioning of ANSTO’s retired High Flux Australian Reactor and other existing nuclear facilities, the pre‑disposal conditioning of existing radioactive waste in preparation for long term storage and disposal, and for the clean‑up of buildings and infrastructure containing hazardous materials.
This measure does not have an impact on the fiscal balance as expenses were recognised in prior years, but will have an impact on the underlying cash balance of $28.7 million over four years from 2013‑14.
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation — additional funding support
The Government will provide $8.1 million in 2013‑14 to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to meet the increasing costs of operating the Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) nuclear research reactor. The cost of nuclear fuel and electricity has increased significantly in recent years and the funding will ensure OPAL operates at full capacity to deliver benefits to the Australian community.
OPAL uses low enriched uranium fuel to produce neutrons for nuclear medicine production, as well as for environmental, medical and materials research.
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency — improving Australia’s capacity to deliver effective radiation protection and nuclear safety
The Government will provide $7.8 million over four years (including capital funding of $2.5 million in 2013‑14) to enhance the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency’s (ARPANSA) capacity to issue new licences and undertake compliance activities, and upgrade its facilities at Yallambie in Victoria to address workplace health and safety issues. The proposal will strengthen Australia’s radiation protection and nuclear safety regulatory arrangements by addressing issues identified in the 2012 Review of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.
Costs of $5.1 million over four years associated with this measure will be recovered from revised licensing fees for facility and process testing conducted by ARPANSA.
National Partnership on the environmental management of the former
Rum Jungle mine site
$million NSW VIC QLD W A SA TAS ACT NT Total
2012-13 – – – – – – – 1.5 1.5
2013-14 – – – – – – – – –
2014-15 – – – – – – – – –
2015-16 – – – – – – – – –
2016-17 – – – – – – – – –
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the National Partnership on theenvironmental management of the former Rum Jungle mine site. This National Partnership was established to improve the daily management of the site. It is also supporting studies and environmental monitoring to inform site management and rehabilitation strategies. These strategies are being developed in partnership with stakeholders, including the site’s traditional owners.
Budget http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/index.htm
Budget Paper 2 http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/bp2/html/index.htm (expenses and revenue = new money) (nuke bits pasted below from this paper)
Budget Paper 3 http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/bp3/download/Consolidated_BP3.pdf (payments to states = where Rum Jungle money appears – as a payment to NT
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