Saturday, 21 April, 2007

by Saffron Howden
The Daily Telegraph

TAXPAYERS forked out $500,000 on the lavish launch of Australia's new nuclear reactor yesterday.

A palatial, air-conditioned marquee with timber decking and carpet was installed at the Lucas Heights headquarters of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to mark the official launch of the new 20-megawatt research reactor, OPAL.

Eight plasma screen TVs were rolled out, along with a stage and podium, sophisticated lighting and audio-visual equipment, and temporary potted plants.

A cast of about 50 catering staff handed out pastries, canapes, croissants, eclairs, quiches, and yoghurt and muesli cups to the 300 guests that only half-filled the marquee.

The sprawling, 75ha site in southern Sydney was crawling with state and federal police, sniffer dogs, protective service officers and ANSTO security.

A helicopter hovered above throughout the morning to keep watch.

Three federal Labor MPs attended the launch just one week before the ALP national conference is scheduled to vote on whether to overturn the party's no new uranium mines policy.

Frontbencher Kim Carr, backbencher John Murphy and Senator Michael Forshaw showed up to see Prime Minister John Howard and three senior government ministers open the new facility.

Labor is divided on whether to ditch its ban on allowing new uranium mines beyond Australia's existing three – Ranger in the Northern Territory and Beverley and Olympic Dam in South Australia.

Opposition environment spokesman Peter Garrett has publicly condemned any move to change the policy, and fellow frontbencher Anthony Albanese agrees. However, some dissenters privately acknowledge they are fighting a losing battle.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd advocates changing the party position, as do frontbenchers Julia Gillard and Senator Chris Evans.

Mr Garrett argues expanding Australia's nuclear and uranium industry encourages terrorism.

"My strong position on not expanding uranium mining and not expanding nuclear activities I will take to the conference," he said.

The Federal Government has not pursued renewable energy seriously and has failed to take into account the environmental cost of mining, milling and processing uranium to make nuclear power he claimed.

But he said he had no criticism of his Labor colleagues for attending the OPAL launch and accepted the Lucas Heights research reactor as a "fact of life".

Despite the extravagance of the three-day launch festivities – with a price tag of more than $500,000 including education packs – Opal has been operating at full power since November last year.
Lucas Heights