Mr ALBANESE (3:07 PM) —My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Further to the explosive incident at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor on 8 June—the same day that Ziggy Switkowski stood aside from the ANSTO board—has the minister been briefed on a further incident at the nuclear reactor at 11 am yesterday? Can the minister confirm that a canister carrying radioactive material was received from the ANSTO cyclotron in Camperdown and an apparent contamination on the outside of the canister vaporised during processing at Lucas Heights? Is the minister aware that radiation alarms in the immediate work area were not activated but that barrier alarms were triggered by the technician who was working with the canister and that the technician was scanned and found to have ingested radioactive iodine 123? In relation to this further incident, what investigation and action has the minister ordered into the cyclotron in Camperdown, the transport of radioactive materials through Sydney and at the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor?

Ms JULIE BISHOP (Minister for Education, Science and Training and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues) —I thank the member for his question.

Mrs Irwin interjecting—

The SPEAKER —The member for Fowler!

Ms JULIE BISHOP —There are in place world standard practices for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. There is a regulator in place—the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

Mrs Irwin interjecting—

The SPEAKER —The member for Fowler is warned!

Ms JULIE BISHOP —We know what this is about. This is all about Labor trying to get the Lucas Heights reactor closed down. You are trying to close down a medical service for cancer sufferers across Australia.

Ms King interjecting—

The SPEAKER —The member for Ballarat has guessed correctly. She will remove herself under standing order 94(a).

The member for Ballarat then left the chamber.

Mr Beazley —Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order that goes to relevance. A very specific set of questions was asked. There was no room for this—

The SPEAKER —The minister has barely begun to answer the question. I call the Minister for Education, Science and Training.

Ms JULIE BISHOP —This is all about an attack on a medical—

Ms Hall interjecting—

The SPEAKER —The member for Shortland will remove herself under standing order 94(a).

The member for Shortland then left the chamber.

Ms JULIE BISHOP —This is clearly a blatant scaremongering campaign on the part of the Labor Party to close down a medical research facility that provides diagnosis and treatment for thousands of cancer patients.

Mr Albanese —Mr Speaker—

The SPEAKER —The member for Grayndler has asked his question. Does he have a point of order?

Mr Albanese —Yes, Mr Speaker, under standing order 104. This was a very specific question about an incident. If the minister did not know about it, she should just say so.

The SPEAKER —The member for Grayndler will not debate his point of order. I remind the member for Grayndler that he asked a rather long question. The minister is in order.

Ms JULIE BISHOP —As I was saying, this is a blatant scaremongering attack on the Lucas Heights medical research facility. There is in place the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

Mrs Irwin interjecting—

The SPEAKER —Order! The member for Fowler will remove herself under standing order 94(a).

The member for Fowler then left the chamber.