Switkowski report 'underestimates' nuclear challenges.


A panel of scientists set up to review the draft report of the Federal Government's uranium and nuclear power inquiry has found it is unrealistic to believe a reactor could be operating in a decade.
The inquiry headed by Ziggy Switkowski suggested the first nuclear electricity could be available in as little as 10 years.
But the scientific peer review says the inquiry underestimates the challenge confronting Australia if it decides to expand its nuclear activities.
The review panel's chairman, Australian chief scientist Jim Peacock, says the inquiry's report is on the whole an appropriate base for public discussion.
"We felt that the 10 years was probably an underestimate and we felt 15 years was more likely to be the case, even if we started on some of the things that needed to be done in the near future," he said.
He says the draft report misjudges the number of people who would need to be trained.
Dr Peacock says at this stage, there is little training available for people to work in the nuclear power industry.
"In particular, we were mindful of the lack of trained people in Australia and the numbers needed for people to run, to develop, build and run such power stations," he said.
India looks to Aust
Meanwhile, India's Ministry of Power says his country will look to Australia to provide it with uranium for its nuclear energy program.
Ministry secretary RV Shahi is in Sydney for an International Energy Agency conference.
The Federal Government says it will not supply India with uranium because the country is not a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
But Mr Shahi says India would like to have further discussions with the Government.
"Our Department of Atomic Energy, that is the department which deals with the subject of nuclear power cooperation, would be approaching various sources of nuclear fuel and we'll have long term-arrangements, including Australia," he said.
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