HEALTH AND SAFETY AT OLYMPIC DAM - INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS

The Committee received submissions (nos 36 and 108) from two individuals who have worked at the Olympic Dam Operation. The authors of the two submissions appear to be, or to have been, employees of contractors to the ODO. Their submissions concerned alleged transport of radio-active material, including yellow cake, from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation at Lucas Heights, New South Wales, to Woomera Military Base, South Australia, during the period 1989-92. This matter has also been raised in the South Australian Parliament.

The Committee was deeply conscious that the matters raised, if they were verified, were of a very serious character. The incidents causing concern were documented in some detail but did not include sufficiently precise information about the dates on or about which they occurred to allow a full documentary examination.

A range of enquiries were made as to how the matters raised in these submissions could be examined. The relevant submissions themselves were referred to the South Australian Government and WMC Copper Uranium Division for any information they could offer.

Some of the points made in the submissions relate to occurrences which did occur, such as transportation of yellowcake from Lucas Heights to Olympic Dam. However, it does not appear that any waste material has been sent from Lucas Heights to Olympic Dam.

The Committee is satisfied that these matters have been as thoroughly examined as is usefully possible without resorting to formal investigation. On evidence available to it, the Committee has concluded that further action is not warranted unless more precise information, including the dates of the alleged events, can be provided.