EMIBARGO: NOT FOR RELEASE BY ANY MEDIA BEFORE
MID~ C ~ YT I~ Y RMRY 1969
FOR PRESS: P. M. L No. 10/ 196 13 FES 9
WEST AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR HARBOUR STUDY
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
The Australian Government recently invited the Government
of the United States to participate in carrying out a study of the technical
and economic feasibility of using nuclear explosives to blast out a new
deep-water harbour at Cape Keraudren on the northwest coast of Australia.
We have today received an official reply from the United
States Government saying that that Government is prepared to proceed
promptly, with the Australian Government, in carrying out this study
which will, of course, pay full attention to all aspects of safety.
It must be emphasised that all that has been so far decided
is that the feasibility study is to take place, under the direction of the
United States Atomic Energy Commission, and the Australian Atomic
Energy Commission, which two bodies will be put in direct contact with
each other to plan and carry out the study.
It has not yet been decided that the execution of the project
itself will take place. A decision on this must await the completion of
the feasibility study, an examination in the light of the results of that
study of the applicability or otherwise of the limited test ban treaty,
and then a new decision by each Government concerned as to whether
the execution of the project will take place.
On behalf of the Australian Government I warmly appreciate
President Nixon's prompt and positive response to our request for
assistance in carrying out this study, and welcome this new expression
of Australian/ American co-operation. Should the explosion itself
eventually occur, it would be a historic development the first practical
application of the atom as a mighty engineering tool for civil construction,
helping to open up new frontiers. All being well, it could be the forerunner
of many other projects for peaceful civil engineering development in
the years ahead. We have already set in motion machinery to speed
the feasibility study and my colleague, the Minister for National
Development ( Mr. David Fairbairn) is announcing details of these measures.
CANBERRA 7 February 1969
' 8 el TT 71