IN AUGUST the University of Sydney announced a new Institute of Nuclear Science. It is the�first to open in Australia since the 1980s when nuclear research was abandoned in the face of widespread opposition. In July, Howard announced $12. 5 million for the Nuclear Collaborative Research Program, beginning the multi-million dollar investment into renewed nuclear research in our universities.

Although 80 per cent of Australians believe that a "nuclear Australia would be a disaster-in- waiting", John Howard wants to use APEC to promote nuclear power as a global solution to climate change.

Howard also plans to announce Australia's entry into the US-initiated Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) at APEC.

This partnership will develop a global nuclear industry for which Australia will receive the world's nuclear waste.

This highly toxic radioactive waste will be dumped on Aboriginal communities in the NT.

Not only will this level of radiation exposure put generations of people at high risk of genetic mutation and cancer, it will also increase the risk of nuclear weapons production in Australia. Depleted uranium, a�deadly by-product of uranium enrichment is used in the munitions currently being fired in Iraq and Afghanistan by the Coalition forces.

Now the University of Sydney is becoming involved in this aggressive nuclear push.

The Federal�Government claims the Institute will fulfill a "research role" under GNEP, however it is clear that its primary aim is to generate qualified nuclear scientists and engineers to develop and maintain a large nuclear�industry in Australia.

We need to demonstrate opposition to this and build a strong student movement on campus against the proposed nuclear institute.

A campaign against the Institute is being organised by students in the Environment collective and Anti-war Action Group at Sydney Uni. To get involved contact Feiyi Zhang on 0416 121 616.