SIPRI Policy Brief: South Ossetia and Abkhazia
Australia
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Country Profile 13: Australia
FirstWatch International
Introduction
Australia has prominent nuclear nonproliferation credentials. It is also a rich source of uranium and a technologically advanced nation. For this reason, Australia is a country that should be considered of nuclear strategic concern.
Since the 1970s, Australia has been a leader in nonproliferation efforts, through its active role in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and several multilateral agreements. In 1973, Australia ratified the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Australia is party to the 1980 United Nations (UN) Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), as well as the 1997 IAEA Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. Australia is also a signatory to the 1985 South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone (Treaty of Rarotonga).
Australia played an instrumental role in the IAEA’s development of the Additional Protocol to Nuclear Safeguards Agreements (AP). In 1997, Australia was the first to sign and ratify the AP. Currently, Australian John Carlson, Director-General of the Australian Safeguards and Nonproliferation Office, is the chair of the IAEA’s Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation (SAGSI).(1) In 1998, Australia ratified the Comprehensive Test-Ban-Treaty (CTBT).(2) Australia’s membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Zangger Committee demonstrate its commitment to effective export control and in May 2005 Australia took on a leading role in uranium export policy by announcing that an Additional Protocol would be a pre-condition for uranium exports from Australia to a non-nuclear weapons state.(3)
Australia’s Safeguards and Nonproliferation Office (ANSO) is the key entity in the country’s nonproliferation efforts. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) acts as a regulatory body in health and safety, and focuses on radiation physics and nuclear physics. Australia’s Department of Environment and Heritage deals with the environmental impacts of nuclear-related activities. Additionally, the Department of Industry, Science, and Resources is instrumental in approving plans for a nuclear programme.
Australia is also a leader in the international nuclear industry. There are indications that Australia plans to further its domestic nuclear programme and expand its export of nuclear resources to the international market. Domestically, Australia may be looking to increase its mining activities and acquire as many as 25 nuclear power reactors by 2050. Proponents say that number is needed to provide for one-third of Australia’s electricity.(4)
Australia’s uranium enrichment capability is facilitated due to further developments in the Australian-based “Separation of Isotopes by Laser Excitation (Silex)” technology. Silex is the sole third-generation laser enrichment process under development for commercial use. It has significant potential to change the international uranium enrichment market.(5) In August 2006, Dr. Michael Goldsworthy, CEO of Silex Systems Ltd. noted that, “If Australia is to fully capitalize on the value of its precious uranium resources, then it should develop a nuclear fuel industry which includes uranium conversion, uranium enrichment, and fuel fabrication services.”(6) He asserts, “An effort [towards nuclear energy] must start with bi-partisan political support, without which Australia will be consigned to selling one of its most precious resources- uranium- as low value yellowcake. Australia is capable of much more than that.”(7)
Recently, Prime Minister John Howard has opened a debate on the possibility of expanding Australia’s nuclear-related activities. According to Prime Minister Howard, if Australia is not a nuclear fuel supplier, then it will be shut us out of important industrial forums and opportunities.(8) In June 2006, Howard appointed a Prime Ministerial Taskforce to examine the long-term prospects of uranium mining, processing, and nuclear energy increases. Australia hosts significant indigenous resources, supplying 24% of world uranium production capability.(9) In a 2006 interview, Prime Minister Howard stated, “there is significant potential for Australia to increase and add value to our uranium extraction and exports.”(10) Additionally, the December 2006 Prime Ministerial Taskforce report noted that Australia could double its uranium exports by 2015.(11)
Australia has opened up the possibility for external cooperation in nuclear-related activities, particularly in uranium exports. Australia’s political and economic security makes it a primary supplier, particularly to the East Asian markets. In 2005, uranium made up approximately 40% of Australia’s energy exports.(12) Australia continues to be a crucial supplier to the US, Japan, South Korea, and France, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, and Finland.(13) Most recently, on January 2, 2007, Australia and China ratified two nuclear safeguards agreements in Beijing.(14) This signals that Australia will begin uranium exports to China in upcoming months.
Silex CEO Michael Goldsworthy has asserted that it is “not too late for Australia, with the world’s largest recoverable uranium reserves to refocus and commit to the long term goal of being a key player in the global nuclear fuel industry.”(15) Australia’s increased activity in becoming a more global player in the nuclear industry is also marked by the October 16, 2006 15th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference (15PBNC) held in Sydney. This conference featured representatives from recognized government committees and companies from Russia, Canada, Thailand, Britain, Argentina, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Mexico, Indonesia, the US, China, and Vietnam.
Sources
(1) John Carlson, “Safeguards and Nonproliferation: Current Challenges and Implications for Australia,” 2005 Conference of the Australian Nuclear Association,” Sydney, November 10, 2005,< http://www.asno.dfat.gov.au/publications/2005_060201_safeguards_presentation.pdf>
(2) M. Hanson and C.J. Ungerer, ‘Promoting an Agenda for Nuclear Weapons Elimination: the Canberra Commission and the Dilemmas of Disarmament,’ Australian Journal of Politics and History, 44, December 1998, via IngentaConnect.
(3) John Carlson, “Safeguards and Nonproliferation: Current Challenges and Implications for Australia,” 2005 Conference of the Australian Nuclear Association,” Sydney, November 10, 2005,
< http://www.asno.dfat.gov.au/publications/2005_060201_safeguards_presentation.pdf>
(4) Commonwealth of Australia, Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy- Opportunities for Australia?, Report to Prime Minister by the Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy Review Taskforce, December 2006,
< http://www.dpmc.gov.au/umpner/reports.cfm>
(5) Commonwealth of Australia, Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy- Opportunities for Australia?, Report to Prime Minister by the Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy Review Taskforce, December 2006,
< http://www.dpmc.gov.au/umpner/reports.cfm>
(6) Michael Goldsworthy, Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review Submission, Silex Systems Ltd., August 25, 2006,
< www.dpmc.gov.au/umpner/submissions/214_sub_umpner.pdf>
(7) Michael Goldsworthy, Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review Submission, Silex Systems Ltd., August 25, 2006,
< www.dpmc.gov.au/umpner/submissions/214_sub_umpner.pdf>
(8) ‘Transcript of the Prime Minister the Honorable Jon Howard MP,’ Parliament House, Canberra, June 6, 2006, News Room, Prime Minister of Australia website,
< http://www.pm.gov.au/news/interviews/Interview1966.html>.
(9) ‘Australia’s Uranium and Who Buys It,’ UIC Nuclear Issues, Briefing Paper 1, August 2006, < http://www.uic.com.au/nip01.htm>
(10) ‘Transcript of the Prime Minister the Honorable Jon Howard MP,’ Parliament House, Canberra, June 6, 2006, News Room, Prime Minister of Australia website, < http://www.pm.gov.au/news/interviews/Interview1966.html>.
(11) Commonwealth of Australia, Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy- Opportunities for Australia?, Report to Prime Minister by the Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy Review Taskforce, December 2006,
< http://www.dpmc.gov.au/umpner/reports.cfm>
(12) ‘Australia’s Uranium and Who Buys It,’ UIC Nuclear Issues, Briefing Paper 1, August 2006, < http://www.uic.com.au/nip01.htm>
(13) Dr. Gavin M. Mudd, ‘Compilation of Uranium Production History and Uranium Deposit Data Across Australia,’ Sustainable Energy and anti-Uranium Service Inc. (SEA-US), August 4, 2003, < http://www.sea-us.org.au/uran-res.html>
(14) These treaties include the Australia-China Nuclear Transfer Agreement and the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, signed in Canberra in April 2006, ‘Australian Uranium Exports to Begin This Year, Foreign Minister Says,’ International Herald Tribune, January 4, 2007,
< http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/05/asia/AS_GEN_Australia_China_Uranium.php>
(15) Michael Goldsworthy, Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review Submission, Silex Systems Ltd., August 25, 2006,
< www.dpmc.gov.au/umpner/submissions/214_sub_umpner.pdf>
Australia: Nuclear history and policies
Australia: Nuclear fuel-cycle activities
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