Walton, Alastair --- "News: Incandescent Maralinga" [1985] AboriginalLawB 53; (1985) 1(15) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 10

• Incandescent Maralinga

---

Incandescent Maralinga

by Alastair Walton

... Mr Justice 'Diamonte' Flashman, sleek convenor of the inquiry into why parts a Australia are still clearly visible to American weather satellites, due to the incandescence, long after British scientists had fled from the scene in unmarked cars
Patrick Cook, National Times, 30.1.85

More atomic weapons have been blasted on Australian territory than on Japan, and they are another saga in the Pacific's averse role in the nuclear "industry". One of the British atomic tests held in Australia in 1956 was nearly twice the yield the British Government had previously claimed - almost five times bigger than the bomb that wiped Hiroshima. The last factor only carne to light due to the stirring motions of the Royal Commission inquiry into the effects of British atomic tests in Australia between 1952 and 1963.

Since the Commission's first hearing on 22 August last year it has received good media coverage and has brought to the fore many issues. These range from the responsibility of scientists and bureaucrats to provide information to the public, the relationship of Government and Aborigines, the question of Australia's sovereignty in regards to the presence of foreign powers taking unilateral decisions, to Australia's role in the nuclear cycle.

On 16 September the final written addresses will be given to the Commission with the oral addresses and replies taking place on 23, 24 and 25 September.

Mr Geoff Eames is the counsel for the Pitjantjatjara Council which has been representing the Aboriginal people of South Australia affected by the tests. Now near the final stages Mr Geoff Eames is confident of a positive report being the outcome. These positive results would be the future involvement of Aborigines in the decision making process of government, clean ups of the range areas and the door opening for compensation. Mr Geoff Eames believes the Commission has confirmed the validity of Aboriginal complai nts concerning the tests and their administration.

The issue of how Aboriginal people's health was affected by the tests may prove to be inconclusive due to the absence of substantial data and records. The Aboriginal people in proximity to the test areas were not systematically checked for radiation doses and no records were detailed enough in regards to causes of death.

The counsels representing Aboriginal communities have collated an important data base on computer software which will be available for use by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the Australian Institute for Aboriginal Studies, and the Aboriginal Task Force, Adelaide.

However at this stage the Commission is still under instructions to report to the Government one week after the final addresses on 30 September. A ludicrous time fable considering the energy, effort and information that has flowed into the Commission. There is approximately 50-60,000 pages of collated information and 10,000 pages of transcript heat the Commission would need to comprehend and refer to in producing a final report. A week after the final addresses would require more than a superhuman effort. The final decision to extend the Commission is the responsibility of Mr Mick Young, the Special Minister of State, although it is Mr Bob Hawke who seems to be reluctant.

One aspect of the Royal Commission which has received minimal discussion, if any, is how the question of sovereignty relates to the Pine Gap and foreign bases on Australian territory. Government assurances of safety have shown to be elastic and self suited. Australian control in these situations would seem to be less now than in the 1950s a d 1960s with the risks potentially greater.

The half-life a a glow of self-righteousness is rather less than that of plutonium, but the fall-out from an lnquiry which will prove that the uranium with is busily mined just over the next hill is very dangerous indeed should go on getting into the hair and up the noses of our current masters in a most satisfactory fashion.
Patrick Cook, National Times, 30.1.85.