Monday, 5 March, 2007

by Dave Sweeney
ACF

Federal Cabinet’s decision to appoint Ziggy Switkowski as Chairman of ANSTO, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, shows due process has been thrown out the window in the Government's quest to push nuclear energy, the Australian Conservation Foundation said today.

"We are talking about the world’s most hazardous energy source, yet the Government process to investigate whether Australia should adopt it has not been independent, not rigorous, not transparent, not robust. It is simply not good enough," said ACF nuclear campaigner Dave Sweeney.

"This is how it has unfolded:

1 An unashamedly pro-nuclear Prime Minister hand picks a taskforce to examine the viability of domestic nuclear power
2 The taskforce Chair is on the Board of Australia’s largest nuclear agency and is forced by community and media pressure to take leave of absence from this role for the duration of the Inquiry
3 The taskforce delivers a one-eyed pro-nuclear report that lacks detail on costing and siting, fails to address the two key issues of nuclear safeguards and radioactive waste and is criticised by everyone from Friends of the Earth to the Chief Scientist of Australia
4 Before the dust settles on this report – before the Government has even formally responded to this report – its chief author is promoted and put in charge of its implementation.

"Mr Switkowski has a clear conflict of interest.

"This is a very bad process that is driving a very bad policy. It lacks the most basic aspects of good governance, prudent testing and check and balance or any procedural credibility.

The Government should start again on its assessment of nuclear power because the public has lost all confidence in the current process."