Friday, 20 April, 2007

by Joe O\'Brien
Lateline

Prime Minister John Howard has launched a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney, saying nuclear energy technology is the way of the future.

Transcript

VIRGINIA TRIOLI: It's a terror target and it's got a water leak, but that hasn't deterred the backers of Sydney's newly-opened nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights.
At today's official launch, the Prime Minister described the reactor as a triumph and the way of the future. More from Joe O'Brien.

JOE O'BRIEN: There were hundreds of enthusiastic supporters of the new research reactor at today's elaborate opening. None more so than the nuclear organisation chairman Ziggy Switkowski. He likens this to Sydney's world-renowned landmarks.

ZIGGY SWITKOWSKI, ANSTO CHAIRMAN: We accept the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House and to that is now joined the OPAL reactor.

JOE O'BRIEN: The Prime Minister didn't draw quite the same comparisons but was still glowing in his praise of the facility and nuclear power, too.

JOHN HOWARD, PRIME MINISTER: There's no doubt in my mind nuclear energy, nuclear science, will bulk ever-larger in the lifestyles and in the experience and the challenges that the nations of the world, not least our own, have.

JOE O'BRIEN: By all accounts, the new plant will be a world leader, providing neutrons for cutting-edge scientific research and radio pharmaceuticals equating to half a million patient treatments a year. But that's just a few among a long list of benefits.

WERNER BURKART, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: The OPAL research reactor will open new horizons in physics, chemistry, material science, medicine and engineering.

JOE O'BRIEN: The plant's already been operating for eight months. The operators have confirmed there is a leakage of one type of water into another close to the reactor core, but say it's not causing any safety risk. They also say the distinctive grill cage around outside of the reactor will stop any terrorist plane crash attack and rocket launchers recently stolen from the Australian army wouldn't be a problem either.

IAN SMITH, ANSTO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The reactor building itself is impenetrable by any small hand-hold missile, as the type that have been lost in Australia.

JOE O'BRIEN: Waste from the plant is expected to be transported to a new storage facility in the Northern Territory from 2012. The Conservation Foundation says that waste will remain a danger for thousands of years. The nuclear organisation says it will be safely stored.