The Nuclear Industry:Existential Threat or World Saviour?

Hosted by: AIIA, NSW

The event will start on: Tuesday, 13 July 2010 6:00 PM

And will end on: Tuesday, 13 July 2010 7:30 PM

At The Glover Cottages, Sydney

124 Kent Street , Sydney NSW

02 9247 2709     aiiansw@bigpond.com

Posted by: nsw   

The Australian Institute of International Affairs presents

Richard Broinowski

Richard is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the University of Sydney. During his previous diplomatic career, he was posted to Australian Embassies in Tokyo, Rangoon, Tehran and Manila, before becoming Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (1983 -1985), the Republic of Korea (1987-1989), and to Mexico, the Central American Republics and Cuba (1994 -1997). Richard took time off from diplomacy in the early 1990s to join the ABC, first as General Manager of Radio Australia, then in assisting in the development of Australia's first overseas television service to Asia. Since retirement, Richard has published three books – A Witness to History, the Life and Times of Robert Broinowski (Scribe, 2000), Fact or Fission - the Truth about Australia's Nuclear Ambitions (Scribe, 2003) and Driven – a Diplomat's Autobiography (ABC/HarperCollins, 2009). He is a regular current affairs commentator on the ABC, SBS and Al Jazeera.

Assessing the Nuclear Industry – Existential Threat or World Saviour?

The advocates of nuclear energy claim the technology will save the world from global warming. They see little significant connection between nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Opponents say it is a flawed technology that will poison the plant and lead to potentially catastrophic nuclear weapons proliferation.

Should we be as complacent as the advocates, or as alarmist as the pessimists? In this address, Richard will examine the main strands of the debate and attempt some conclusions. He will first analyse President Barack Obama's new nuclear posture for the United States in the context of the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treat Review Conference. He will then examine the realities of the global nuclear industry, the factors that could drive a rapid expansion of reactor construction, and those that could lead to stasis or contraction. He will discuss the possible effects of both scenarios on nuclear weapons proliferation. Finally, he will review the conflicting elements of Australia's nuclear policies – to export uranium yet be seen as a responsible international citizen in curbing weapons proliferation; to conduct a vigorous program of nuclear research, while showing strong reluctance to introduce nuclear power-generating reactors to the Australian grid.

Date: Tuesday 13 July 2010
Time: Refreshments 6:00 pm; Presentation 6:30 pm - 7.30pm
Venue: The Glover Cottages, 124 Kent Street, Sydney
Cost: AIIA members $15; Concession $10; Visitors $25

Dr Richard Broinowski – Tuesday 13 July 2010
1. PLEASE RSVP ONLINE or EMAIL ACCEPTANCE to nsw.branch@aiia.asn.au
2. Telephone acceptance to (02) 9247 2709 (if unattended leave a voicemail message)