Fed: Howard opens Australia's new nuclear reactor

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2007
Fed: Howard opens Australia's new nuclear reactor

SYDNEY, April 20 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard has officially opened Australia's
new $400 million nuclear research reactor in Sydney.

The OPAL reactor at Lucas Heights replaces Australia's first nuclear research facility,
which was shut down in January after 48 years of operation.

Mr Howard toured the new reactor this morning amid tight security, before officially
opening the facility before an audience of about 200 scientists, politicians and a delegation
from Argentina, the source of the fuel which feeds the reactor.

Mr Howard said the work by scientists at the reactor deserved to be celebrated just
as much as the achievements of Australia's sportsmen and women.

"This facility will relieve human suffering, it will be of direct life-saving benefit
to countless thousands of our fellow country men and women," Mr Howard said.

"It will also be a remarkable demonstration to the world of the expertise and the cutting-edge
capacity of the Australian nation."

The OPAL reactor sits in a 13-metre deep container of water, whereas its predecessor
was contained in steel.

Its main purpose is to generate neutrons for nine neutron-beam instruments, two of
which have already been delivered and are up and running.

AAP bt/sg/wjf/cp/bwl

KEYWORD: NUCLEAR OPEN

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