Nuclear weapons 'option' for Australia
By Gerard McManus
13 Jul 03

AUSTRALIA is giving itself the option of becoming a nuclear power 
through a deal with the US to obtain nuclear weapons and extensive 
investment in atomic expertise, it has been claimed.  

A leading strategic policy expert says Australia is forging an 
understanding with the US that would ensure quick access to "off 
the shelf" tactical nuclear weapons during a crisis.  

And a former senior Howard Government science adviser says the new 
$600 million reactor at Lucas Heights will ensure Australia has the 
skills and technology to launch a nuclear weapons program.  

"There is no doubt in my mind that a main purpose of Lucas Heights is 
to maintain Australia's capacity to develop nuclear weapons," the former 
adviser said this week.  

"It is Australia's insurance policy against the future, just in case 
the US does not come to our aid. We are way more advanced in nuclear 
technology than Saddam Hussein ever was."  

The claims come as it has been reported North Korea has begun 
reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods - a program that could yield 
enough plutonium for six nuclear warheads within months.  

And the rogue state has been accused by South Korea of conducting 
70 high-explosive tests linked to nuclear weapons production.  

This month the Federal Government compulsorily acquired 6sq km of a 
sheep station at Arcoona, 20km north east of Woomera, for a proposed 
nuclear waste dump.  

Strategic policy expert Associate Professor Wayne Reynolds, of 
Newcastle University, says the new reactor is one arm of a dual 
nuclear-based defence strategy.  

The other involves reaching an agreement with the US that Australia 
could buy small tactical nuclear weapons in the event of a regional 
nuclear crisis.  

[snip snip]

While ANSTO says it has no active program to build a bomb, Australian 
scientists at Lucas Heights conduct research into other countries' bomb 
designs.  

"The expertise is being maintained, they would not be building 
something like this if they did not have a long-term view of being 
able to design their own bomb," the adviser said.  

A spokeswoman for the Federal Government said the claims were 
"absurd".  

[snip]

Additional reporting by Laurie Nowell and Chris Tinkler.

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Full article at "Hobart Mercury" ...
www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,6744863%255E421,00.html

Cheers, Steve..

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