Least worst way to manage nuclear waste returning to Lucas Heights nuclear reactor

Why does the Australian government persist in the lie that the nuclear waste contracted to return from UK and France originated from medical/scientific research? The medical radionuclides are but a tiny, tacked on part of the Lucas Heights reactor, and they are short-lived and not requiring export for reprocessing. The returning high level wastes originated from the reactor’s own process.

Federal budget 2015: Why Australia’s nuclear waste legacy will cost $27 million May 13, 2015 Lisa Cox National political reporter The Abbott government will spend nearly $27 million over four years to return radioactive waste that has been treated in the United Kingdom to Lucas Heights.

We believe the waste coming back to Lucas Heights is the least worst way to manage it In what the Australian Conservation Foundation has described as the “least worst option” the material will be stored in a temporary, purpose-built storage facility at Lucas Heights while Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane examines possible sites for a future Australian nuclear waste dump.The funding is part of an agreement with the UK to return one of two batches of Australian waste, which the government said was largely generated from scientific research and nuclear medicine over a number of decades.

The second batch of nuclear material was sent to a facility in France for processing and its return has been funded in budgets since 2010.

Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear-free campaigner David Sweeney said of the federal money: “We believe the waste coming back to Lucas Heights is the least worst way to manage it.”

“That is – it’s still not a good thing,” he said.

“But because of the expertise, security and the presence of a purpose built facility at Lucas Heights it is the most appropriate option for the nation.”……….http://www.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/federal-budget-2015-why-australias-nuclear-waste-legacy-will-cost-27-million-20150513-gh0i49.html

2 Responses to “Least worst way to manage nuclear waste returning to Lucas Heights nuclear reactor”

CaptD Says:
May 21, 2015 at 12:53 am | Reply
This is just more Nuclear Baloney* (NB) fro AU Leaders that are really just interested in Nuclear Payback**

* http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Nuclear+Baloney

** http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Nuclear+payback

Those that support nuclear power because nuclear power somehow supports them; no matter what the health implications or other “costs” are for others.
- Christina MacPherson Says:
  May 22, 2015 at 4:03 am | Reply
  Unfortunately Australia is legally bound to take back this still relatively small amount of nuclear waste.
  Yes – it is for the nuclear industry – a valuable foot in the door.
  The only sane answer is to stop making the stuff.

Nuclear Australia