Russian/Australian Uranium Deal - Are we sending the right message

Russian Uranium Deal – Are we sending the right message.

Current speculation about whether Australian Labour Government will ratify the Australia-Russia Civil Nuclear Agreement is still high. The agreement signed by both Mr John Howard, former Australian Prime Minister and Mr Vladimir Putin, former Russian President has been an issue of concern for the current Australian government since they were elected to power. The issue outlined for this speculation is the fact that there was an issue in Eastern Europe between Russia and Georgia. This issue did not involve nuclear weapons. It involved minor conflict and the maintaining of a presence within a disputed area. It was not internationally supported but then again entering of Iraq by the United States and coalition forces was not internationally supported. What is Australia’s concern; that uranium maybe directed to military use. The stakeholders that are affected by the ratification or non-ratification are split as to the appropriate outcome. Russia has shown concern for the delay via the Ambassador. This was reported in the Australian Financial Review on the 18 September in John Breusch’s article, ‘Russian Uranium Deal Shaky.’ It is doubtful that it would be supported by the international system for governance of nuclear technology and materials or the international community. Australia decided not to provide uranium to India as it was not a signatory of the NPT. Yet Russia is a signatory of the NPT and has allowed for extensive involvement and investment by the US Government in the destruction and cleanup of their nuclear weapon sites under the Nunn-Lugar program. A program that even US presidential candidate Barrack Obama has been involved as an observer. The process is not completed but is still continuing. Australia signed a similar deal with China and ensured that the appropriate assurances were documented to meet both international requirements and Australian assurances. Similar documentation was staffed for the Russian deal and should be looked at independently to the conflict. The documentation is sound and has been under placed through significant review.

The negative impact on Australia for not accepting the current internationally recognised assurances for nuclear technology, of which Russia is a supporter could cause significant hardship in the future for the companies involved in providing the resource. The ability to negotiate appropriate investment for the resource could be hindered by the fact that after signing such an agreement countries cannot be assured that they will receive delivery of a needed resource within an appropriate time frame. It is recommended that the ratification go ahead to ensure the integrity of the international governance system for nuclear technology. There is more technical information that can be provided for this post, regards to stakeholders, economical impact and govenance system if required.