April 15, 2013 marks 60 years to the day since the passing of the Atomic Energy Act 1953, which led five years later to Sir Robert Menzies' "flicking the switch" and turning on Australia's first nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights on January 26, 1958.
These two important dates ushered in an age of nuclear science and innovation in this country – of scientific discovery; of environmental and minerals study; advanced medical research and nuclear medicine production.
The focal point for these milestones and the 60th celebrations is the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), which operates Australia’s only operating nuclear reactor, the $460 million OPAL research reactor.
Australia’s home of nuclear expertise remains, to this day, at Lucas Heights, but the role of ANSTO has long since moved on from research into nuclear power.
ANSTO today is a state-of-the-art scientific campus: the workplace for 1000 scientists, engineers and experts and a place the research of government, industry, laboratories and universities all converge.
The Australian Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Chris Evans, today congratulated ANSTO for its central role in Australian science and innovation.
“ANSTO’s work is nationally significant and internationally recognised. Over 60 years it has achieved an impressive record of scientific research and innovation,” Minister Evans said.
“Its scientists have led or contributed to research as vast as studying the impact of climate change in Antarctica, carbon dating Egyptian Mummies, and developing new drugs to fight disease.
“The expertise enabled by ANSTO ensures Australia has a seat on the International Atomic Energy Commission, and has influence on international matters relating to nuclear non-proliferation.
“It is because of decisions some 60 years ago – the same year like the FJ Holden was released – that Australia punches above our weight globally in terms of driving nuclear non-proliferation priorities.
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| One of ANSTO's core missions is to manufacture and advance the use of radiopharmaceuticals, which will improve the health of Australians. Many of these products are delivered in Gentech generators; ingenious ANSTO-designed technetium-99m radiopharmaceutical generators that have become a mainstay of nuclear medicine in Australia. |
“And, perhaps most importantly, it vitally contributes to the Australian medical system – creating and distributing 10,000 doses of nuclear medicine to 250 hospitals and medical centres a week.
“That medical role will be enhanced in coming years, thanks to the Federal Government’s recent announcement of $168 million to dramatically enhance ANSTO’s nuclear medicine capacity.
“Construction of ANSTO’s new nuclear medicine plant will start next year. When complete, ANSTO will go from producing hundreds of thousands of doses of medicine for Australians to millions for people across the world.”
ANSTO’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Adi Paterson, said ANSTO has evolved into a centre for modern research, supporting a wide range of Australian industries and continuing to increase its influence.
“It’s gratifying to reflect on the very narrow nuclear energy research purview that Lucas Heights scientists used to have, and compare that to our incredible scope of work today,” said Dr Paterson.
“Today Australian nuclear techniques enable scientists to address some of the big challenges in relation to health, the environment, and keeping Australian industry abreast of new innovations.
“Already it is arguable that ANSTO’s work touches the lives of most, if not all Australians. One in two will need a nuclear medicine dose in their life, and 85 per cent of that will come from ANSTO.
“And this scope is increasing, with the announcement last year that we will dramatically increase nuclear medicine production, and our assuming, this year, of administrative control over the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne.
“I’d like to place on the record, my thanks and appreciation for the hard work of all ANSTO staff and our research partners in industry and academia. The future is bright.”
Published: 26/01/2013