Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Can the minister confirm that at around 7 pm last Thursday, 8 June, an incident occurred in building 54 of the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor when there was an explosion in a carbon canister containing radioactive material? Can the minister confirm that this canister was being stored in hot cell No. 2, immediately adjacent to hot cell No. 1—

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has the call and will be heard.

Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker—where a technician was extracting radiopharmaceuticals? Can the minister confirm that this explosion blew out the seals of hot cell No. 2? What is the nature of contamination from radioactive material of both the worker and the work area?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Jagajaga for the question. I am aware that there was a breakdown in the production process at Lucas Heights.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was an explosion!

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There was a rupture within a pipe. I am informed that there has been no impact at all upon the health of workers at Lucas Heights, or the surrounding community, and that the matter is under control; so I thank the member for her question.