The Australian Greens acknowledge the work and analysis in the Committee report on the Nuclear Research Co-operation Agreement (the Agreement).
Recommendation 1.
The Australian Greens recommend that there be periodic review of the cost and benefit of the Agreement to Australia. Periodic reviews should consider the research interests pursued under the Agreement to ensure that the Agreement is consistent with Australian laws and is in the public interest. Australia has the ability to opt out of the Agreement at any time, and this option should be considered during periodic reviews.
Recommendation 2.
Review section 3.31 of the Report. This section suggests that Australia’s involvement contributes to our standing on nuclear weapons non-proliferation without acknowledging that Australia’s international reputation on this issue has been damaged by the Government’s ongoing refusal to engage in UN fora on the advancement of the abolition of nuclear weapons.
This section also suggests that a “significant expansion of nuclear power is underway or being considered in the region.” There is certainly no significant expansion of nuclear power, and the consideration of expanding nuclear power is neither significant nor noteworthy in the context of this agreement.
The misrepresentation of Australia’s current standing on non-proliferation issues and the global nuclear energy trajectory should not form part of Australia’s justification for participating in this agreement.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
Senator for South Australia