Title: Australia's engagement in the nuclear fuel cycle: the non-proliferation dimension

Authors: Andrew O'Neil

Addresses: School of Political and International Studies, Flinders University, GPO 2100 Adelaide, 5001, Australia

Abstract: Australia|s position on nuclear energy issues cannot be fully appreciated without understanding its commitment to non-proliferation. For 30 years, Australia|s uranium exports have been contingent on states accepting some of the most stringent safeguards in the world. Successive Australian governments have argued that Australia|s involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle as a supplier of uranium helps bolster the coherence of the non-proliferation regime by encouraging other states to follow strict preconditions for export. Yet, since 9/11, Australia|s formal alliance with the USA has placed limits on the degree to which it has been willing to pursue non-proliferation policies at odds with Washington|s approach.

Keywords: nuclear non-proliferation; uranium exports; arms control; US alliance; UDA; United States; energy security; Australia; nuclear energy; nuclear power; nuclear fuel cycle.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2008.019078

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2008 Vol.29 No.4, pp.454 - 469

Published online: 28 Jun 2008 *

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