Key Challenges for Present and Future Radiation Protection Agencies an Australian Perspective AUSTRALASIAN RADIATION PROTECTION SOCIETY

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1 Key Challenges for Present and Future Radiation Protection Agencies an Australian Perspective TONY HOOKER PRESIDENT AUSTRALASIAN RADIATION PROTECTION SOCIETY

2 Australia s Radiation Regulatory Framework Each jurisdiction administers their own radiation protection legislation. Radiation protection legislation typically includes the following areas: setting maximum dose limits licensing of people to undertake practices using radiation registration of radiation sources (IR and NIR) safety procedures responsibilities compliance and enforcement powers for the regulator ARPANSA RHC and RHSAC National Directory for Radiation Protection

3 New Zealand's Radiation Regulatory Framework Office of Radiation Safety The Office of Radiation Safety administers the Radiation Protection Act 1965 and ensures compliance with international obligations relating to radiation. The office also oversees a contract with the National Radiation Laboratory (part of Institute of Environmental Science and Research) for the provision of scientific advice relating to both ionising and non-ionising radiation.

4 Australasian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS) ARPS is a professional society of members engaged in one or more aspects of radiation protection. Founded in 1975; has more than 250 members engaged in radiation protection activities to ensure the safe use of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. The primary objective of the Society is to promote the principles and practice of radiation protection, and to this end it seeks to: establish and maintain professional standards of radiation protection practice encourage co-operation among persons engaged in radiation protection activities provide for and give support to scientific meetings on topics related to radiation protection encourage publications in the field of radiation protection. ARPS publishes a quarterly journal, Radiation Protection in Australasia

5 Australasian Radiation Protection Society Current activities Conferences Annual meeting Bidding for AOCRP-5, Melbourne, 2018 Bidding for IRPA Congress, Adelaide, 2024 Participation on international committees and working groups Media releases/statements Chernobyl Depleted Uranium Dirty Bombs Low Dose Radiation (see position statement above) UNSCEAR 2000 commentary

6 Australasian Radiation Protection Society ARPS website Public education Science Alive (SA Branch) Sir Mark Oliphant Science Awards (SA Branch) Strategic Plan Australasian Radiation Protection Accreditation Board ARPS/ACPSEM/AIOH

7 Key Challenges for ARPS and radiation protection agencies in Australasia Communication of radiation risk to govt., media, public Public perception, (NIMBY and NOTE) Chernobyl / Fukushima Translating science into regulation Low dose radiation research programs largely ignored by regulators; LNT vs Threshold At what dose should we say the word safe Emergency response and preparedness

8 Key Challenges for ARPS and radiation protection agencies in Australasia Encouraging young people into science at high school Science Alive/ Science fairs during National science week Visiting high schools/ CSIRO Scientists in Schools program Tertiary qualifications in radiation protection particularly in the industrial, scientific, uranium / NORM mining areas Grad Certificate in Radiation Management under review for commencement in 2015 Aging workforce/ ARPS membership Linked into encouraging younger people into science Development of career pathways in radiation protection Value for money (membership)

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10 Asian and Oceanic Congress for Radiation Protection (AOCRP) 2018 Melbourne, Australia A/Prof Brad Cassels Australasian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS) C/- Department of Health Ms. Paula Leishman Leishman Associates