Senator STOTT DESPOJA —My question is addressed to Senator Ellison, the Minister representing the Minister for Science and Technology. The Cassini space probe is due to be launched on 14 October, or no later than 15 November this year, carrying some 33 kilograms or 33,000 grams of plutonium. Given the government's expressed concern when the Russian space probe Mars 96 re-entered the earth's atmosphere last year with its deadly cargo of 24 grams of radioactive plutonium, will the government make representations to the United States government about the threat of nuclear material being deposited over Australia and the world by the Cassini space probe? When will you make that representation?

Senator ELLISON —I am advised by Senator Hill that that has been answered on notice. I was given notice of this question and I have been advised that in relation to the Cassini mission, which involves the European agencies, NASA and Italian agencies in sending a spacecraft to Saturn and return, the Cassini mission has undergone an extensive safety evaluation as part of the normal nuclear safety launch approval process, by an interagency nuclear safety review panel comprising the US government, industry and academic experts. Cassini will deploy the Huygens planetary probe to explore the atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, adding greatly to our scientific knowledge of the formation and composition of this planet and its moons, and the solar system generally.

It is critical that Cassini is launched on schedule by November this year or the mission could face a two-year delay, substantial cost overruns and a greatly reduced scientific pay-off. As there are no viable power alternatives for Cassini itself or for devices aboard the Huygens probe, any action to influence the US government in this regard is not considered warranted.

Senator STOTT DESPOJA —I have a supplementary question, Madam President. The minister mentioned NASA's evaluation and I am wondering: does the government accept, then, the environmental impact statement from NASA regarding Cassini which states that some five billion people could be exposed to radiation and radioactive material following an accident in the earth's atmosphere? Does the government sanction this use of plutonium—and so much use of plutonium—when it comes to Cassini? I ask: what guarantee the government or the minister can give the Australian people that they will not be subjected to radioactive material in the case of an accident with this space probe?

Senator ELLISON —Senator Stott-Despoja has raised a number of matters that were not alluded to and I will refer them to the relevant minister.