PRIME~ jMD, 3STER 4 JUNE 1976
FOR PRESS F76/ 109
VISITS OF NUCLEAR POWERED WARSHIPS
I wish to inform the House that my Government has decided to allow
the resumption of visits to Australian ports by nuclear powered
warships. This decision has been made after a long and careful
examination of the many aspects associated with this subject.
In furtherance of the objective of ensuring that matters affecting
the environment are fully examined and taken into account, the
Government has given very careful consideration to a classified draft
Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the Department of Defence.
However, in the opinion of the Government it would be contrary to
the interests of Australia for this document to be made available
publicly. Nevertheless, in order that maximum possible information consistent
with the interests of Australia, be made available to the public,
a document entitled " Environmental Considerations of Visits of
Nuclear Powered Warships to Australia" dated. May 1976 is attached to
this statement.
The House will be aware that there have been a number of visits in
the past by United States nuclear powered warships. In the interests
of our national security, the Australian Government attaches great
importance to the presence in this area, under the ANZUS alliance,
of the United States Navy, which is increasingly converting to nuclear
powered warships.
With well ove r one hundred naval reactors in operation, United States
nuclear powered warships have visited over thir-ty countries and
eighty five foreign ports.
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our decision follows consultations with the United( States Governmen-,>"
on safety procedures and legal indemnity. In the latter connection,
the United Sfates Congress in December 1974 enacted a Law ( Public Law
93-513) pursuant to which, as was made clear by the Joint Congressiona2"
committee on Atomic Energy, the United States accepts absolute liabilit'
for any nuclear damage which might-result from a nuclear incident
involving the reactor of a United States warship.
The Government is taking these decisions on the basis of international
experience with nuclear powered warships and in light of-the
assessments in the unclassified Environmental document which I am
tabling. The Government accepts the expert advice that the risk of
an incident resulting in a release of radio-activity is extremely
low and the hazard to human health and the environment is remote.
All necessary control and safety measures will be implemented
at the berths th be used.
Those matters are dealt with in detail in the document " Environmental
Considerations of Visits of Nuclear Powered Warships to Australia".
I would also point to the remarkable safety record of United States
nuclear powered warships.
There is further compelling reason why action is required in this
matter. About a third of the United States Navy is nuclear powered.
we have a military alliance with the United States through the ANZUS
Treaty. Under Article II of that Treaty, we have undertaken to act
separately and jointly to maintain and develop our individual and
collective capacity.... Unless nuclear powered ships are able to use
Australian ports, there will be no prospects of Australia remaining
an adequate and reliable ANZUS partner. That is not a statement from
any American source it is my own.
The ANZUS Treaty requires cooperation with the United States.
At the very least, that would require that the. United States be able
to replenish her ships and that we should provide such support as
% are able, not only in peace-time circumstances as a good ally,
but in any emergency that may arise in the future. The vital
character of-our alliance with the United States and with ANZUS
require this actio n to be taken.
O /. In reaching a decision on the resumption of visits, the Government
has had the benefit of a very wide range of expert advice. Defence
and Australian Atomic Energy Conmission scientists have participated
in. the examinations and relevant matters have received consideration
by the Australian Ionising Radiation Advisory Council.
Appropriate arrangements concerning environmental safeguards will
be applied in consultation with state, governments by a group of
officials led by officials of the Department of Environment, Housing
and Community Development. Such arrangements will be undertaken,
as necessary, before visits take place.
I present the following paper:
Visits of Nuclear Powered Warships
Ministerial Statement June 1976.
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