US/Australian military nukes exercise over Sydney risks public safety

The joint US exercise involved Australian and US defence forces and
Federal and NSW Police from 27 April to 29 May 2010. Day and night
flying of US military helicopters occurred and a ‘radioactive training
source’ was reportedly used. At the time, the Defence Force reported
the activity as ‘routine’ and did not admit it was to practice
tracking weapons of mass destruction.

“Tonight’s revelations leaves many unanswered questions. The
government needs to justify why these exercises had to use radioactive
material," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The safety of residents and defence staff should be the highest
priority. The Federal and State governments must now fully disclose
what occurred.

"Military exercises are needed but why should the public be exposed to
radioactive material.

"The Australian Defence Force have attempted to play down the use of
the radioactive material, but they have admitted that the exercise was
'based on tracking weapons of mass destruction'.

“The Federal and State governments must come clean on exactly what
kind and how much radioactive material was used in these exercises.

“Was this operation so secret that even emergency services were kept
in the dark? Did any accidents occur, either during transportation or
as part of the exercise? Are there alternatives to conducting this
exercise with radioactive material?

“For the Defence Force to claim that, ‘at no time during this exercise
was any danger posed to the general public’ is both patronising and
misleading.

“History is littered with examples of nuclear accidents during similar
exercises, involving Russian, US and Japanese military.

“The way to deal with the potential of a terrorist nuclear threat is
to shut down the industry.

“The most likely target in Sydney is not a suitcase of nuclear
material but the ANSTO facility at Lucas Heights.

“In June my Federal colleague Senator Scott Ludlam helped reveal
serious accidents at Lucas Heights, including in August 2008 where a
worker at Lucas Heights dropped a vial of highly radioactive material
in a containment cell.

“One Lucas Height worker received a substantial dose of radiation,
showing accidents that happen can be swept under the carpet unless
tenacious whisteblowers reveal all,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For information: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568

------------------------
Statement from Australian Defence Force - 18 June 2010

1. Request for further information regarding joint US exercise.

A combined rehearsal activity between the Australian Defence Force ,
US Forces, Australian Federal Police and NSW Police took place in
Sydney from 27 April to 29 May 2010. The activity scenario was based
on tracking weapons of mass destruction. The activity centred on the
locations of North Head, Middle Head and Cataract Scout Park.

The activity was coordinated with the consent and knowledge of all
relevant authorities. This training activity was in conjunction with
State and Federal law enforcement agencies and conducted routinely for
training and rehearsal to ensure the highest level of capability to
deter threat to Australia.

At no time during this exercise was any danger posed to the general public.

- There was no uranium used during this activity

- A small radioactive training source was used. This is a
training aid regularly used for military training.

- The training source was transported in accordance with the
Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances
1990, and there was a qualified ionising radiation protection officer
with the source at all times

- The US helicopters were used for troop movement only

A media release was distributed to Sydney local media on 7 May 2010
alerting to the activity, please see text below.

Media release – 7 May 2010

A combined rehearsal activity between the Australian Defence Force, US
Forces, Australian Federal Police and NSW Police will occur in Sydney
during this month.

It will involve day and night flying of US military helicopters around
the Sydney area, centring on the locations of North Head, Middle Head
and Cataract Scout Park south of Sydney.

Some activity participants will be out of uniform and operating in the
CBD. They will be unarmed and conducting surveillance tasks only.

During the activity, some controlled explosions may be heard. These
will occur in designated activity areas restricted to the public. The
explosions will pose no risk to the community.

This activity has been coordinated with the consent and knowledge of
all relevant authorities

The Australian Defence Force, in conjunction with State and Federal
law enforcement agencies, conduct routine training and rehearsal
activities to ensure the highest level of capability to deter threat
to Australia.

Media note:
Media will not be given access to the activity.