Australia
has two nuclear regulatory agencies: ASNO and ARPANSAthe Australian Radiation
Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
ASNO
is responsible for nuclear safeguards and physical protection: ensuring that
nuclear materials and nuclear itemsfacilities, equipment, technology and
nuclear-related materialsare appropriately regulated and accounted for. An important part of this responsibility is
ensuring that Australias treaty commitments are met, particularly that nuclear
activities are conducted for exclusively peaceful purposes.
ASNOs
responsibilities cover nuclear materialsuranium, thorium and plutoniumnot
radioactive materials as such. ASNOs
legislation applies to all persons or organisations in Australian jurisdiction
having relevant materials, items or technology. Principally this applies to
ANSTO, as Australias only nuclear
operator, but also covers a diverse range of other entities including the
uranium mines and associated transport and storage operations, private sector
laboratories, educational institutions, and patent attorneys. ASNOs activities are based on a number of
constitutional heads of power, especially external affairs (meeting treaty
requirements).
ARPANSA is a new Commonwealth agency (established in 1999), charged
with responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people, and the
environment, from the harmful effects of radiation (ionizing and
non-ionizing). ARPANSAs
responsibilities include:
- Promoting uniformity of radiation protection and nuclear safety
policy and practices across jurisdictions of the Commonwealth, the States and
the Territories; - Providing advice to Government and the community on radiation
protection; - Providing advice to Government and the community on nuclear
safetyreactors and visits by nuclear powered warships; - Undertaking research and providing services in relation to radiation
protection, nuclear safety and medical exposures to radiation; - Regulating radiation protection and nuclear safety aspects of all
Commonwealth entities involved in radiation or nuclear activities or dealings;
and - Approval of imports of radioactive material.
The limitation of ARPANSAs general regulatory powers to
Commonwealth entities reflects the situation that in Australia the primary
constitutional responsibility for radiation health and safety matters rests
with the State governments.