Australian Greens
The Australian Greens note that the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (the proposed Agreement) is to replace arrangements between the UK and Australia under the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Atomic Energy Community for Cooperation in the Peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy (2011) in the event that the United Kingdom exits the European Union in March 2019.
The Australian Greens submitted a dissenting report to the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Atomic Energy Community for Cooperation in the Peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy (2011) and our concerns remain.
Additionally concerns have been raised about the United Kingdom’s ability to guarantee the safety and security of Australian nuclear material. The Office of Nuclear Regulation is working with United Kingdom Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Euratom to develop a system of accountability but this process has not yet been finalised.
The Australian Greens want an end to nuclear weapons, nuclear power, and the cessation of uranium mining and export. We will not support a treaty that seeks only to maintain the status quo without re-evaluating Australia’s uranium and nuclear industries.
The Australian Greens further note that Australia has yet to finalise its own nuclear waste storage plans.
In the absence of these concerns being addressed the Australian Greens will not support this Treaty.
Senator Hanson-Young