Australia's nuclear proliferation risk revealed
A classified uranium enrichment project is underway at Sydney's nuclear reactor, according to a new report by Greenpeace. Secrets, Lies and Uranium Enrichment: The classified Silex project at Lucas Heights reveals the full extent of the project and the Federal Government's involvement. The report highlights the hypocrisy of the Australian Government wanting to play "a vital role in helping stop the spread of WMD" (Weapons of Mass Destruction), as stated by Defence Minister Robert Hill, while allowing weapons-useable nuclear technology to be developed in Sydney. "If this uranium enrichment research were being conducted by Iran or North Korea, our Government would call it evidence of a covert weapons program", said Greenpeace nuclear campaigner, James Courtney. "Allowing laser enrichment technology to be developed at Lucas Heights seriously undermines our Government's commitment to the elimination of nuclear weapons." Uranium enrichment is a highly classified activity because it provides the main ingredient used in the production of nuclear weapons. The company conducting the research, Silex Systems Ltd, is the only company in the world pursuing laser enrichment of uranium. It claims its technology is to be used to create fuel for power reactors. Former diplomat Richard Broinowski and author of Fact or Fission — The Truth About Australia's Nuclear Ambitions, has welcomed the Greenpeace report. "It's a nonsense to suggest that laser enrichment of uranium only has a civil application. If you can enrich Uranium-235 by 10% you can enrich it to higher percentages to make it weapons usable. The weapons application of this technology is being denied by both Silex and the Government." Launching the Greepeace report at Parliament House last week, Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said: "Alexander Downer describes Australia as a 'leading country in the area of nuclear non-proliferation', but has allowed the Silex project to continue to develop, with government support, a uranium enrichment technology. As this report shows the operations of Silex Systems and their relationship to government agencies is shrouded in secrecy." On its website under "company history", Silex boasts of its government connections and its "classified" work: * 2000: Agreement for Co-operation between the United States and Australian Governments paved the way for continued development of SILEX Technology for uranium enrichment, facilitating its future transfer to the US. * 2000: Silex secured a "START" R&D Grant from the Australian Government to fund 50 per cent of the SILEX Stable Isotope Program. * 2001: The SILEX Technology was officially "Classified" by the US and Australian Governments. The implications of classification relate mainly to security protocols. The Greenpeace report further reveals that: * Silex Systems Ltd leases more than 2000 square metres of space at the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation, and has unspecified access to ANSTO technology and information; * Silex Systems is the only private company in Australia to come under the regulation of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). However no mention of Silex Systems or laser enrichment has ever appeared in a publicly available ARPANSA report. Senator Nettle promised that the Greens would pursue the truth of the Government's relationship with Silex through the Senate estimates process.