Antinuclear

Western Australian groups reject the aims of Nuclear Safety Bills 2023 [Provisions] and call for public hearing

Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023 [Provisions] and Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023 [Provisions]  Submissions Close 1st February 2024 Please make a submission and call for a public hearing in WA*2

The proposed Bill would create the laws to regulate the nuclear safety aspects of the proposed nuclear-powered submarine enterprise. The Bill is about regulating certain activities relating to AUKUS submarines. It would establish a regulator, safety duties for people conducting the regulated activities and creates monitoring and compliance powers. 

Stop AUKUS WA and NFWA are preparing a submission making the following points:

• We are opposed to AUKUS and reject the stated objectives of the Bill. 
• The Bill includes wording “conventionally-armed nuclear powered submarines” in other arena’s the Government has indicated there is a “don’t ask don’t tell” or “neither confirm nor deny” policy on nuclear weapons. There must be an explicit prohibition of nuclear armed vessels and public scrutiny and reporting. 
• The Bill is far reaching and broad, 
• The Bill does not include regulatory requirements for visiting US and UK nuclear submarines which under AUKUS will be continuously present in Australia. 
• There is no public accountability – there are no reporting requirements to the public, regulators are given immunity from public scrutiny and overrides the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) – which does face public scrutiny. 
• The Bill is not consistent with our obligations under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty in that there is the potential for nuclear armed US and or UK vessels to be home ported in Australia 
• Overrides local and state laws
• It does not apply to foreign military personnel

January 21, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized