NNSA delegation visited Australia following signing of nuclear security agreement

A delegation from the National Nuclear Security Administration visited the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization’s Lucas Heights campus in Sydney last week, the Australian agency’s press release said Monday.

The visit followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries during the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna in May. 

Corey Hinderstein, acting principal deputy administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), led the delegation to visit the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization’s (ANSTO) Sydney campus. According to a press release by ANSTO, the two countries discussed how both can work together in nuclear forensics, security, radiation detection and emergency preparedness and response.

“The MoU will now enable both Australia and the United States to centralise these activities under the one umbrella,” Miles Apperley, ANSTO’s group executive for nuclear safety, security, and stewardship, said in the press release. “It will enable us to solidify our strong working relationships and collaboration efforts, and exchange information and expertise for the enrichment of our respective nuclear security programs.”

The ANSTO tour is one stop on a multi-week lap around Australia for the NNSA and the DOE. The delegations will also meet with a cohort of Australian Government partners, led by the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office, the press release said.