Today a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed a nuclear security advisory mission in Australia, as requested by the Australian Government.
The team from the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS), observed Australia’s nuclear security regime to be well established and incorporating the fundamental principles of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM). The team made recommendations and suggestions to enhance and sustain Australia’s nuclear security. It also identified several examples of good practice that could assist other IAEA Member States in strengthening their nuclear security.
“Australia’s example in applying IAEA Nuclear Security guidance and using IAEA advisory services clearly demonstrates its strong commitment to nuclear security and its enhancement,” said Kristof Horvath, Senior Nuclear Security Officer at the IAEA.
The IPPAS conducted this second mission to Australia as a follow-up to the initial mission conducted in 2013. It addressed responses to previous recommendations, any changes in the Commonwealth legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear security, and computer security.
“IPPAS missions are an important tool in strengthening the global nuclear security regime. Their advice assists Australia to continue implementing nuclear security to high standards,” said Robert Floyd, Director General of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO). “Although Australia’s’ nuclear security is already considered of a high standard, I greatly appreciate the input of the experts in the IPPAS mission for their recommendations for further improvement. With nuclear security there is no room for complacency.”
The IPPAS team visited the Lucas Heights Campus of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, including the Australian Open Pool Research Reactor and the newly established Nuclear Medicine Facility.
The team, led by Patrick Adams, Senior Adviser at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, included six other experts from Germany, Philippines, Serbia, the United States and the IAEA. The team met with officials from ASNO, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.