CHECK AGAINST DrLIVF. RY-BEFOE 11 A ( EST)
PRIME MINISTER
OFFICIAL OPEHIN~ G OF THE CRITICAL FACILITY AT THE
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION,
LUCAS HEIGHTS, SYDNEY
Speech by the Prime Minister, the Pt. Hon. William McMahon,
CH, T-P 19 JU11E 1972
Twelve years ago, my distinguished friend and
colleague, Sir Robert Menzies, spoke here on a similar occasion.
And he said he helieved Lucas H~ eights was a significant event in
our national development. And he went on to forecast that this
establishment would produce many practical results for Australia.
Sir Robert was, of course, referring particularly to the role of
Lucas Heights in developing the technical experience we will need
when the time comes for Australia to embark on a commercial
nuclear power nrrrumm.
It is pretty well accepted now that by the end of
the seventies, one or more of our State generating authorities
will be building a nuclear power plant. Thereafter, more will
follow. It is not too much to say that if events develop as
predicted, Australia could be involved in a ver * y large capital
investment in nuclear power plants before the end of the century.
DHany of you are well aware of how essential it will
be that we go into such a programme equipped with sound technical
advice about the efficiency and safety of reactors and other
nuclear facilities. This critical facility is, I am told, a powerful tool
for making studies directly related to this objective. The machine
was built by a French engineering~ firm, , working with Australian
industry and the Commission's scientists and engineers.
Our recent agreemaent with Japan will also be important
to our understanding of the future application of atomic energy
for peaceful purooses. We also co-operate with the United Kingdom,
the United States and Canada.
It will be seen, therefore, that the leading nations
of the world in the extraordinarily complex field of nuclear
energy have been willing to share the benefits of their work with
US. ./ 2
We occupy a seat on the Board of Governors of the
International Atomic E~ nergy Agency as the nation most advanced in
atomic energy in the South-East Asia and the Pacific region. But
we do not have the technical nor financial resources even to attempt
to take a place in the forefront of nuclear reactor development,
and if I may be allowed to emphasise it here, today, there is no
reason why we should seek to dIO so.
But we do make our contribution to the pool of
atomic energy knowledgre, and we do help our Asian and Pacific
neighbours through the loan of technical ex ' perts and equipment. We
also receive Agency and Colomnbo Plan fellows for training and
experience in nuclear matters.
This new facility will both contribute to our
objectives and extend our ability to collaborate with other
countries. For these reasons I am glad to have the opportunity
to open it today. My colleague, Sir Reginald Swartz, has already
reminded us of the benefits which are flowing to the community from
this centre. In the years to come, nuclear energy will help ease
our power problems. Most industrially advanced countries are now
either building nuclear power stations, or preparing to do so.
More than 100 plants are already in service and about twice as
many are being built or are on order.
We can expect nuclear Dower in the 1980' s'and
to account for an increasing proportion of Australia's new
generating capacity. On a per capita basis, we have one of the
fastest rising power demands in the world. one estimate that has
been given to me is that by the end of this century, one-third of
our electricity could come from nuclear stations. It is claimed
that by that time more than 50 per cent of the world's electricity
could Le so supplied. Such predictions have major implications in such
diverse fields as foreign affairs, finance, industry and commerce.
Within the Atomic Energy Comrmission, we have the experts to advise
on all technical aspects of nuclear power. They have done wideranging
research into all aspects of the control of radiation from
nuclear installations. And over a long period, they have made
close and careful investigations of possible effects on the environment,
including on marine life, and on flora and fauna.
But uranium is not only an industrial material. It
is a strategic material of high importance that involves the Commonwealth
in certain obligations. Every country in the world which
produces or uses fissile material imposes Government control for
considerations of national security, and to honour international
obligations, Australia must do likewise. / 3
-3
Before our first uower station is built, there
must be a necessary framework of regulations and administrative
practices to provide such controls. We arc working constructively
with the States to achieve thes~ e objectives. Thcre can be no
better means of ensuring thait nuclear power will be introduced to
Australia on a safe, economic and responsible basis.
it is clear from what I have said that Australia's
role in nuclear energy is concerned with its peaceful uses. The
harnessing of this great force of energy for the benefit of mankind
is one of the areatest challenges of this generation.
The task is twofold: We must learn to use the
technology in peaceful pursuits, and we must contain and eventually
dissuaqe its potential uses for warfare and destruction.
it is difficult for some people to accept that in
the modern world even in cases where there arise differences on
certain major issues there can still be co-operation on others.
For example, the United States and the Soviet Union hold basic
differences on many great international issues. Yet President
Nixon and Mr Brezhnev were able last month to make a major step
forward in the vital field of world disarmament.
They have slowed down the nuclear arms race, and
they have done it in the cnntext-%. of maintaining a balance of
strategic interests. I sent a message of warm congratulation to
Mr Nixon for this achievement.
I would like to go back a little on Australia's
record in these matters, because this is an area in which I very
sincerely regret to say that France has failed to respond, despite
our co-operation in other areas.
Many years ago, in 1963, a partial nuclear test
ban treaty was concluded. Australia took its stand when it ratified
that treaty. It specifically bans tests in the atmosphere, outer
space and under water. It is unmistakeably clear that our present
attitude is not a nev, one.
Our attitude at the Plenary Session at Stockholm
was in accordance with long-existing policy. When the Australian
Government ratified the partial test ban treaty, it was strongly
opposed to the conduct of tests of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere,
wherever they occurred. This remains our strong policy. It is
therefore completely wrong to say that a new policy was developed
at Stockholm. In line with our long-standing policy, we have
repeatedly conveyed to the French Government, as you, Your
Excellency, have repeated and confirmed, through the proper channels
and in the most unequivocal terms the firm opposition of the
Australian Government and peonple to the French nuclear tests in
the Pacific. / 4
Australia was the first country to protest against
these tests in 1972. AMnd we have repeated those protests. We
will continue to do so, by whatever means are properly avajable to
us to exert whatever pressures we can to bring about a cessation
of these tests and all atmospheric nuclear tests for all time.
The Austialian Government is dedicated to upholding
the partial nuclear test ban treaty. That is our policy; it has
not changed. We will continue to work within the framework of
international negotiation and consultation with the United States
and others so vitally concerned with the difficult technical issues
underlying questions of world peace, including a more comprehensive
treaty. But central to our policy is a clear and frank
unqualified opposition to atmospheric testing. Let there be no
misunderstanding on this score. I and my Government want the
present tests abandoned. Further, we have taken every reasonable step we
can to persuade our French friends to cease them. You will be
aware, Mr Ambassador, that I have already conveyed personally to
the President of France the views that I have now expressed.
And I want to confirm to yo~ u that none of the
explanations you have given would in any way, in any shape at
all, change my, or my Government's attitude, or the Australian
people's attitude, to the atmospheric testing by any country.
And I say this, notwithdranding the comments you have made about
the protests that have been made by my Government to your
Government itself. This Facility I am opening today is, I emphasise,
designed for peaceful purposes. It will assist our researchers
to develo in co-operation with the States, our capacity to use
nuclear energy for the generation of electric power.
So I am glad to have the opportunity of officially
opening this Facility, and at the same time to be able to set out
the Government's reasons for building it. It will undoubtedly be
an essential tool for our research workers, and I have now much
pleasure in declaring it open.