Output 1.8 – Advice to Government

Provision of high-quality, timely, relevant and professional advice to Government.

Performance Measures

• Provide policy advice, analysis and briefings that meet the needs of Ministers and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of Australia's policies on the WMD non-proliferation and disarmament.
• Cooperate on technical issues across government, including with the Australian intelligence community.

Performance Assessment

ASNO continues to provide independent expert advice on various non-proliferation policy and regulatory issues. ASNO's remit is supported by section 43(d),(e) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987, which states that the functions of the Director General include 'to undertake, co-ordinate and facilitate research and development in relation to nuclear safeguards' and 'to advise the Minister on matters relating to the operation of the Australian safeguards system'.

During the reporting period ASNO has provided technical advice to key stakeholders on IAEA safeguards operation and requirements, and the operation of the Australian Safeguards System under the Safeguards Act.

ASNO has contributed technical advice regarding developments at Ukraine's nuclear facilities since Russia's unilateral, illegal and immoral invasion. ASNO has also given advice on assistance Australia could provide to Ukraine through the IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET) mechanism. In addition, ASNO provided advice on nuclear-related sanctions Australia has had in place on Russia since 2014.

ASNO continued to provide advice to the Australian Radioactive Waste Agency (ARWA) on the development of the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility detailed business case; licensing process; design of a waste information management system; and provided safeguards-by-design support to ANSTO on the detailed engineering design for the facility.²⁴

ASNO provided advice to the DISR and the Department of Home Affairs on the regulatory requirements for exporting Controlled Ores and the potential of future regulatory alignment.

ASNO also works closely with ARPANSA to incorporate best practice for the security of nuclear material, particularly where there are security and safety interfaces, such as:

• Spent fuel management
• Periodic Safety and Security Review (PSSR) for the ANSTO OPAL Research Reactor.

24 ASNO is working with ANSTO to ensure the engineering designs for the facility can meet requirements to facilitate ongoing IAEA verification while seeking to minimise costs associated with verification.