{"id":"C2004A03412","name":"Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987","slug":"australian-nuclear-science-and-technology-organisation-act-1987","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"3 of 1987","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":7536,"registerId":"commonwealth-C2004A03412-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-03-30","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part I","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"## Part I—Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"#### 1 Short title\n\n  This Act may be cited as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n  This Act shall come into operation on a day to be fixed by Proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"#### 3 Interpretation\n\n  (1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:\n\n> ANSTO spent nuclear fuel means spent nuclear fuel that has been irradiated in, and permanently removed from, a nuclear reactor operated by the Organisation.\n\n> application and use means:\n\n    (a) nuclear application and use; or\n    (b) non‑nuclear application and use.\n\n> appoint includes re‑appoint.\n\n> appointed member means a member of the Board other than the Chief Executive Officer.\n\n> Board means the Board of Directors of the Organisation.\n\n> Chairperson means Chairperson of the Board.\n\n> Chief Executive Officer means the Chief Executive Officer of the Organisation.\n\n> commencing day means the day of commencement of this Act.\n\n> Commonwealth contractor means:\n\n    (a) a person who is a party to a contract with the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth entity; or\n    (b) a person who is a subcontractor for a contract with the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth entity.\n\n> Commonwealth entity means:\n\n    (a) a body corporate established for a public purpose by or under an Act; or\n    (b) a company in which a controlling interest is held by any one of the following persons, or any 2 or more of the following persons together:\n    (i) the Commonwealth;\n    (ii) a body covered by paragraph (a).\n\n> Deputy Chairperson means Deputy Chairperson of the Board.\n\n> employee means an employee referred to in subsection 24(1).\n\n> Finance Minister means the Minister who administers the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.\n\n> Immigration and Border Protection Department means the Department administered by the Minister administering Part XII of the Customs Act 1901.\n\n> law enforcement agency means:\n\n    (a) the Australian Federal Police; or\n    (b) a police force of a State or Territory; or\n    (c) the Immigration and Border Protection Department; or\n    (d) any other authority or person responsible for the enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.\n\n> member of the staff of the Organisation means:\n\n    (a) the Chief Executive Officer; or\n    (b) an officer or employee.\n\n> non‑staff member means a member of the Board who is not a member of the staff of the Organisation.\n\n> officer means an officer referred to in subsection 24(1).\n\n> Organisation means the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation constituted under this Act.\n\n> scientific research, innovation and training includes the following, whether or not related to nuclear science and nuclear technology:\n\n    (a) any activities in the fields of natural or applied science (including engineering and technology) for the extension or application of knowledge;\n    (b) any activities that involve innovation or high levels of technical risk for the purposes of creating new or improved materials, products, devices or processes;\n    (c) the education and training of persons in matters related to activities mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).\n\n> securities includes stocks, debentures, debenture stocks, notes, bonds, promissory notes, bills of exchange and similar instruments or documents.\n\n> share, in relation to a company, means a share in the capital of the company and includes stock.\n\n> spent nuclear fuel means material that:\n\n    (a) is or was capable of producing energy by a self‑sustaining chain process of nuclear fission; and\n    (b) has been irradiated in, and permanently removed from, a nuclear reactor (which is a structure containing material to which paragraph (a) applies in such an arrangement that a self‑sustaining chain process of nuclear fission can occur in the structure without an additional source of neutrons).\n\n> subcontractor, for a contract, means a person who is a party to:\n\n    (a) a contract with a Commonwealth contractor (within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition of Commonwealth contractor); or\n    (b) a contract with another subcontractor (under a previous application of this definition).\n  (3) A reference in this Act to dealing with securities includes a reference to:\n    (a) creating, executing, entering into, drawing, making, accepting, indorsing, issuing, discounting, selling, purchasing or reselling securities;\n    (b) creating, selling, purchasing or reselling rights or options in respect of securities; and\n    (c) entering into agreements or other arrangements relating to securities.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part II","sectionType":"part","heading":"Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation","content":"## Part II—Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Establishment of Organisation","content":"#### 4 Establishment of Organisation\n\n  (1) The body corporate that was, immediately before the commencing day in existence by virtue of section 8 of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 under the name Australian Atomic Energy Commission continues in existence by force of this subsection as a body corporate, under and subject to the provisions of this Act, under the name Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.\n\n> Note: The Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 applies to the Organisation. That Act deals with matters relating to corporate Commonwealth entities, including reporting and the use and management of public resources.\n\n  (2) The Organisation:\n    (a) shall have a seal; and\n    (b) may sue and be sued.\n  (3) All courts, judges and persons acting judicially shall take judicial notice of the imprint of the seal of the Organisation appearing on a document and shall presume that the document was duly sealed.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Functions of Organisation","content":"#### 5 Functions of Organisation\n\n  (1) The functions of the Organisation are:\n    (a) to undertake research and development in relation to:\n    (i) nuclear science and nuclear technology; and\n    (ia) the application and use of nuclear science and nuclear technology; and\n    (ii) the production and use of radioisotopes, and the use of isotopic techniques and nuclear radiation, for medicine, science, industry, commerce and agriculture; and\n    (iii) such other matters as the Minister directs; and\n    (b) to encourage and facilitate the application and use of the results of such research and development; and\n    (ba) to condition, manage and store radioactive materials and radioactive waste, arising from:\n    (i) the Organisation’s activities (including the production of radioactive materials for other persons); or\n    (ii) the activities of companies in which the Organisation holds a controlling interest (including the production of radioactive materials for other persons); or\n    (iii) the use by other persons of radioactive materials produced by the Organisation or such companies; or\n    (iv) the activities of other persons who are specified in the regulations; and\n    (bb) to condition, manage and store radioactive materials and radioactive waste generated, possessed or controlled by the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth entity; and\n    (bc) to condition, manage and store radioactive materials and radioactive waste at the request of:\n    (i) a law enforcement agency; or\n    (ii) a Commonwealth, State or Territory agency responsible for the management of emergencies or disasters;\n    including, but not limited to, radioactive materials or radioactive waste involved in, or arising out of, a radiological incident or a radiological emergency; and\n    (bd) to condition, manage and store radioactive waste that has been, or is to be, sent to Australia under contractual arrangements relating to the conditioning or reprocessing of ANSTO spent nuclear fuel; and\n    (c) to produce, acquire, provide and sell goods, and to provide services, that are:\n    (i) in connection with the production and use of radioisotopes, and the use of isotopic techniques and nuclear radiation, for medicine, science, industry, commerce and agriculture; or\n    (ia) in connection with the conditioning, management and storage of radioactive materials or radioactive waste; or\n    (ib) in connection with nuclear science and nuclear technology; or\n    (ic) in connection with the application and use of nuclear science and nuclear technology; or\n    (ii) otherwise in connection with matters related to its activities; and\n    (d) to act as a means of liaison between Australia and other countries in matters related to its activities; and\n    (e) to provide advice on aspects of:\n    (i) nuclear science and nuclear technology; and\n    (ii) the application and use of nuclear science and nuclear technology; and\n    (iii) other matters related to its activities; and\n    (ea) to make available to other persons, whether or not on a commercial basis, the knowledge, expertise, equipment, facilities, resources and property of the Organisation by:\n    (i) providing training and management expertise; or\n    (ii) selling or leasing equipment; or\n    (iii) leasing land, buildings and facilities; or\n    (iv) taking any other action that the Organisation thinks appropriate; and\n\n> Note: See also subsection (4A) of this section and subsection 6(3).\n\n    (f) to co‑operate with appropriate authorities of the Commonwealth, the States and the Territories, and with other organisations and institutions in Australia or elsewhere, in matters related to its activities; and\n    (g) to publish scientific and technical reports, periodicals and papers on matters related to its activities; and\n    (h) to collect and sell or distribute, as appropriate, information and advice on matters related to its activities; and\n    (j) to arrange for training, and the establishment and award of scientific research studentships and fellowships, in matters related to its activities; and\n    (k) to make grants in aid of research into matters related to its activities; and\n    (m) to make arrangements with universities and other educational research institutions, professional bodies and other persons for the conduct of research or of other activities in matters related to its activities.\n  (1A) A regulation made for the purposes of subparagraph (1)(ba)(iv) must not have the effect of authorising the premises on which the Lucas Heights Research Laboratories are situated to become a national nuclear waste repository.\n  (1B) In subsection (1A):\n\n> national nuclear waste repository means a site chosen by the Commonwealth, after the commencement of this subsection, for the storage of nuclear waste with a view to it never being moved to another site.\n\n  (1C) Without limiting paragraph 5(1)(bb):\n    (a) radioactive materials and radioactive waste generated by a Commonwealth contractor under a contract between the Commonwealth contractor and the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth entity are taken to be generated by the Commonwealth or the Commonwealth entity, as the case requires; and\n    (b) radioactive materials and radioactive waste possessed or controlled by a Commonwealth contractor under a contract between the Commonwealth contractor and the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth entity are taken to be possessed or controlled by the Commonwealth or the Commonwealth entity, as the case requires.\n  (2) The Organisation shall not undertake research or development into the design or production of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.\n  (3) In undertaking its functions, the Organisation is to have regard to:\n    (a) the Commonwealth Government’s national science, technology and energy policy objectives; and\n    (b) the Commonwealth Government’s commercialisation objectives for public research institutions.\n  (4) The Minister shall not give a direction under subparagraph (1)(a)(iii) to the Organisation to undertake research or development in relation to a matter unless the Minister is satisfied that research or development by the Organisation in relation to that matter would be an effective use of the staff of the Organisation, and would not duplicate unnecessarily any activity being carried on, or proposed to be carried on, by any other agency or authority of the Commonwealth.\n  (4A) Without limiting paragraph (1)(ea), the Organisation may perform its function under that paragraph for the purposes of scientific research, innovation and training.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"General powers of Organisation","content":"#### 6 General powers of Organisation\n\n  (1) Subject to this Act, the Organisation has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions and, in particular, has power:\n    (a) to enter into contracts;\n    (b) to acquire, hold and dispose of real or personal property;\n    (c) to occupy, use and control any land or building owned or held under lease by the Commonwealth and made available for the purposes of the Organisation;\n    (d) to erect buildings and structures and carry out works;\n    (e) to form, or participate in the formation of, a company or partnership;\n    (f) to appoint agents and attorneys, and to act as an agent for other persons;\n    (g) to engage persons to perform services for the Organisation;\n    (h) to design, produce, construct and operate equipment and facilities; and\n    (j) to do anything incidental to any of its powers.\n  (2) The powers of the Organisation may be exercised within or outside Australia.\n  (3) To avoid doubt, the Organisation has the power to construct buildings and facilities for the sole purpose of performing the function referred to in paragraph 5(1)(ea).","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"6A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitutional limits","content":"#### 6A Constitutional limits\n\n  (1) The Organisation may perform its functions only:\n    (a) for purposes relating to activities that are peculiarly adapted to the government of a nation and cannot otherwise be carried on for the benefit of the nation; or\n    (b) for purposes relating to trade and commerce:\n    (i) between Australia and places outside Australia; or\n    (ii) among the States; or\n    (iii) within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between 2 Territories; or\n    (c) for purposes relating to postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like services; or\n    (d) for purposes relating to the security or defence of Australia; or\n    (e) for purposes relating to astronomical and meteorological observations; or\n    (f) for purposes relating to statistics; or\n    (g) for purposes relating to weights and measures; or\n    (h) for purposes relating to copyrights, patents of inventions and designs, and trade marks; or\n    (i) for purposes relating to the provision of medical and dental services; or\n    (j) for purposes related to external affairs, including:\n    (i) giving effect to any international agreement to which Australia is a party; and\n    (ii) addressing matters of international concern; and\n    (iii) by way of the performance of its functions in a place outside Australia; or\n    (k) for purposes relating to the relations of the Commonwealth with the islands of the Pacific; or\n    (l) in, or for purposes relating to, a Territory; or\n    (m) in, or for purposes relating to, a Commonwealth place (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970); or\n    (n) for purposes relating to matters incidental to the execution of any of the legislative powers of the Parliament or the executive power of the Commonwealth.\n  (2) A term used in subsection (1) and the Constitution has the same meaning in that subsection as it has in the Constitution.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure of the Organisation’s interests in companies","content":"#### 7 Disclosure of the Organisation’s interests in companies\n\n  (3) If the Organisation subscribes for or purchases debentures, or other securities, of a company, the Minister shall:\n    (a) cause to be prepared a statement setting out particulars of, and the reasons for, the subscription or purchase; and\n    (b) cause a copy of the statement to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after:\n    (i) subject to subparagraph (ii), the subscription or purchase took place; or\n    (ii) if the Minister is of the opinion that the disclosure of the subscription or purchase would affect adversely the commercial interests of the Organisation, the Minister ceases to be of that opinion.\n  (4) This section does not apply in relation to a matter that gives rise to an obligation under section 72 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with tabling of notices relating to matters such as acquisition of shares).","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"7A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Immunity of Organisation etc. from certain State and Territory laws","content":"#### 7A Immunity of Organisation etc. from certain State and Territory laws\n\n  (1) Subject to subsection (4), a law to which this section applies does not apply, and is taken never to have applied, in relation to:\n    (a) the Organisation; or\n    (b) the Organisation’s property or transactions; or\n    (c) anything done by or on behalf of the Organisation.\n  (2) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), at all times during which the Organisation holds, or has held, a controlling interest in a particular company, a law to which this section applies does not apply, or is taken not to have applied, as the case requires, in relation to:\n    (a) the company; or\n    (b) the company’s property or transactions; or\n    (c) anything done by or on behalf of the company.\n  (3) This section applies to a law of a State or Territory so far as the law relates to:\n    (a) the use or proposed use of land or premises; or\n    (b) the environmental consequences of the use of land or premises; or\n    (c) radioactive materials or dangerous goods; or\n    (d) licensing in relation to:\n    (i) employment; or\n    (ii) carrying on a particular kind of business or undertaking; or\n    (iii) conducting a particular kind of operation.\n  (4) This section does not apply to a law of a kind referred to in subsection (3) if the law is specified in regulations made for the purposes of this subsection.\n  (5) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to any property or transaction of a company of a kind referred to in that subsection, or to anything done by such a company, if the property, transaction or thing is wholly unconnected with any matter that is within the scope of the Organisation’s functions or powers.\n  (6) Nothing in this section implies that a law to which this section does not apply, applies in relation to:\n    (a) the Organisation; or\n    (b) the property or transactions of the Organisation; or\n    (c) any act or thing done by or on behalf of the Organisation.\n  (7) In this section:\n\n> law means a written law, and includes:\n\n    (a) subordinate legislation; and\n    (b) a provision of a law.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Part III","sectionType":"part","heading":"The Board","content":"## Part III—The Board","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Establishment of Board","content":"#### 8 Establishment of Board\n\n  There is established by this section a Board of Directors of the Organisation, which shall be constituted as provided by section 9.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Composition of Board","content":"#### 9 Composition of Board\n\n  (1) The Board consists of:\n    (a) the Chief Executive Officer; and\n    (b) at least 5, but not more than 8, other members.\n  (2) The members other than the Chief Executive Officer shall be appointed by the Governor‑General.\n  (3) The appointed members may be appointed either as full‑time members or as part‑time members.\n  (5) The Governor‑General shall appoint one of the members to be the Chairperson of the Board and another of the members to be the Deputy Chairperson of the Board.\n  (7) A member of the staff of the Organisation other than the Chief Executive Officer shall not be appointed as a member of the Board if:\n    (a) the number of non‑staff members does not constitute a majority of the members of the Board; or\n    (b) as a result of the appointment, the number of non‑staff members would not constitute such a majority.\n  (8) An appointed member holds office for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the instrument of appointment of the member but he or she is eligible for re‑appointment.\n  (9) The member who is the Chairperson or the Deputy Chairperson ceases to be the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson, as the case may be, if he or she ceases to be a member.\n  (10) The Minister may appoint a person to be a deputy of a specified member other than the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or the Chief Executive Officer.\n  (11) If a member other than the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or the Chief Executive Officer is absent from a meeting of the Board, the deputy of that member may attend the meeting in place of that member and, when so attending, shall be deemed to be a member.\n  (12) The performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the Board is not affected because of a vacancy in the office of Chief Executive Officer or because there are fewer than 5 appointed members for a period of not more than 3 months.\n\n> Note: For the manner in which the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson may be referred to, see section 18B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Functions of Board","content":"#### 10 Functions of Board\n\n  (1) The functions of the Board are to ensure the proper and efficient performance of the functions of the Organisation and, subject to section 11, to determine the policy of the Organisation with respect to any matter.\n  (2) In performing its functions, the Board shall have regard to the current policies of the Commonwealth Government in relation to matters within the functions of the Organisation.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Directions to Board","content":"#### 11 Directions to Board\n\n  (1) Where the Minister is satisfied that it is desirable in the public interest to do so, the Minister may, by notice in writing to the Chairperson, give directions to the Board with respect to the performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the Organisation.\n  (2) The Board shall ensure that any directions given to it by the Minister under subsection (1) are complied with.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Remuneration and allowances","content":"#### 12 Remuneration and allowances\n\n  (1) The non‑staff members shall be paid:\n    (a) such remuneration as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal; and\n    (b) such allowances as are prescribed.\n  (2) The deputy of a member of the Board shall be paid, in respect of the deputy’s attendance at a meeting of the Board:\n    (a) such fee as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal; and\n    (b) such allowance as is prescribed.\n  (3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Resignation","content":"#### 13 Resignation\n\n  An appointed member may resign from office by writing signed by the member and delivered to the Governor‑General.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Termination of appointment","content":"#### 14 Termination of appointment\n\n  (1) The Governor‑General may terminate the appointment of an appointed member for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.\n  (2) If an appointed member:\n    (a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with creditors or makes an assignment of remuneration for their benefit; or\n    (b) is absent:\n    (i) in the case of the Chairperson, except on leave of absence granted by the Minister; or\n    (ii) in any other case, except on leave of absence granted by the Chairperson;\n    from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board;\n  the Governor‑General shall terminate the appointment of the member.\n\n> Note: The appointment of an appointed member may also be terminated under section 30 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with terminating the appointment of an accountable authority, or a member of an accountable authority, for contravening general duties of officials).","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meetings of Board","content":"#### 16 Meetings of Board\n\n  (1) The Chairperson:\n    (a) shall convene such meetings of the Board as the Chairperson considers necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the Board; and\n    (b) shall convene a meeting of the Board on receipt of a written request signed by not fewer than 2 other members.\n  (2) The Minister may convene such meetings of the Board as the Minister considers necessary.\n  (3) The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board at which he or she is present.\n  (4) Where the Chairperson is not present at a meeting of the Board:\n    (a) the Deputy Chairperson shall preside at the meeting; or\n    (b) if the Deputy Chairperson is not present at the meeting—the members present shall appoint one of their number to preside at the meeting.\n  (5) Subject to subsection (6) and to subsection 18(3), at a meeting of the Board, a quorum is constituted if:\n    (a) the number of members present constitute a majority of the members for the time being holding office; and\n    (b) a majority of the members present are non‑staff members.\n  (6) If, because of rules made for the purposes of section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests), a member is not present at a meeting of the Board during a deliberation of the Board with respect to a matter but:\n    (a) there would be a quorum if that member were present; and\n    (b) a majority of the remaining members are non‑staff members;\n  the remaining members present constitute a quorum for the purpose of any deliberation or decision of the Board at that meeting with respect to that matter.\n  (7) Questions arising at a meeting of the Board shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting.\n  (8) The person presiding at a meeting of the Board has a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, also has a casting vote.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"16A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chief Executive Officer not to take part in certain deliberations of Board","content":"#### 16A Chief Executive Officer not to take part in certain deliberations of Board\n\n  The Chief Executive Officer:\n    (a) must not take part in any deliberation or decision of the Board with respect to him or her; and\n    (b) is to be disregarded for the purpose of constituting a quorum of the Board for any such deliberation or decision.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Acting appointments","content":"#### 17 Acting appointments\n\n  (1) At any time when there is a vacancy in the office of Chairperson (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office) or the Chairperson is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or a person acting as Deputy Chairperson under subsection (2) shall act as Chairperson.\n\n> Note: For rules that apply to persons acting as the Chairperson, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.\n\n  (2) The Minister may appoint a member to act as Deputy Chairperson:\n    (a) during a vacancy in the office of Deputy Chairperson (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or\n    (b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Deputy Chairperson is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason (including the reason that the Deputy Chairperson is acting as Chairperson) unable to perform the duties of the office of Deputy Chairperson.\n\n> Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.\n\n  (5) The Minister may:\n    (a) determine the terms and conditions, including remuneration and allowances, if any, on which a person is to act under this section; and\n    (b) terminate an appointment under this section at any time.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"Part IV","sectionType":"part","heading":"Chief Executive Officer","content":"## Part IV—Chief Executive Officer","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chief Executive Officer","content":"#### 18 Chief Executive Officer\n\n  (1) There shall be a Chief Executive Officer of the Organisation, who shall be appointed by the Board.\n  (3) A member of the staff of the Organisation shall not:\n    (a) be present during a deliberation of the Board with respect to the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer; or\n    (b) take part in the making of a decision with respect to such an appointment;\n  and a quorum for the purposes of such a deliberation or decision is a majority of the non‑staff members for the time being holding office.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duties of Chief Executive Officer","content":"#### 19 Duties of Chief Executive Officer\n\n  (1) The Chief Executive Officer shall manage the affairs of the Organisation subject to the directions of, and in accordance with policies determined by, the Board.\n  (2) All acts and things done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Organisation by the Chief Executive Officer shall be deemed to have been done by the Organisation.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Tenure of Chief Executive Officer","content":"#### 20 Tenure of Chief Executive Officer\n\n  (1) The Chief Executive Officer shall hold office for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the instrument of his or her appointment, but is eligible for re‑appointment.\n  (2) The Chief Executive Officer holds office, subject to this Part, on such terms and conditions as are determined by the Board.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Remuneration and allowances","content":"#### 21 Remuneration and allowances\n\n  (1) The Chief Executive Officer shall be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.\n  (2) Subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, the Chief Executive Officer shall be paid such allowances as are determined by the Board.","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"21A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Leave of absence","content":"#### 21A Leave of absence\n\n  (1) The Chief Executive Officer has such recreation leave entitlements as are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.\n  (2) The Board may grant the Chief Executive Officer leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on such terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise as the Board determines.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"21B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Resignation","content":"#### 21B Resignation\n\n  The Chief Executive Officer may resign from office by writing signed by the Chief Executive Officer and delivered to the Board.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"21C","sectionType":"section","heading":"Termination of appointment","content":"#### 21C Termination of appointment\n\n  (1) The Board may terminate the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.\n  (2) The Board may terminate the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer if the Chief Executive Officer:\n    (a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with creditors or makes an assignment of remuneration for their benefit; or\n    (b) is absent, except on leave of absence granted by the Board, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board; or\n    (c) is absent from duty, except on leave of absence granted by the Board, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months; or\n    (d) fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with his or her obligations under section 22.\n\n> Note: The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer may also be terminated under section 30 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with terminating the appointment of an accountable authority, or a member of an accountable authority, for contravening general duties of officials).\n\n  (3) The Board may terminate the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer if the Board is satisfied that the performance of the Chief Executive Officer has been unsatisfactory for a significant period.","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure of interests","content":"#### 22 Disclosure of interests\n\n  (1) The Chief Executive Officer shall give written notice to the Board of all direct or indirect pecuniary interests that the Chief Executive Officer has or acquires in any business.\n  (2) Subsection (1) applies in addition to section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests).","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Acting Chief Executive Officer","content":"#### 23 Acting Chief Executive Officer\n\n  (1) The Board may appoint a person to act as Chief Executive Officer:\n    (a) during a vacancy in the office of Chief Executive Officer, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or\n    (b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Chief Executive Officer is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of the office.\n\n> Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.\n\n  (3) The Board may:\n    (a) determine the terms and conditions of appointment, excluding remuneration and allowances, of a person acting as Chief Executive Officer; and\n    (b) terminate such an appointment at any time.\n  (4) An officer who is acting as Chief Executive Officer shall continue to be paid the remuneration and allowances payable to the officer as such an officer but shall also be paid:\n    (a) so much of any remuneration payable to the Chief Executive Officer as exceeds the remuneration that so continues to be paid to the officer;\n    (b) so much of any allowance payable to the Chief Executive Officer as exceeds the corresponding allowance that so continues to be paid to the officer; and\n    (c) if an allowance is payable to the Chief Executive Officer in respect of which there is no corresponding allowance payable to the officer—that allowance.\n  (6) The appointment of a person to act as Chief Executive Officer ceases to have effect if the person resigns the appointment by writing signed by the person and delivered to the Chairperson.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"Part V","sectionType":"part","heading":"The Staff of the Organisation","content":"## Part V—The Staff of the Organisation","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Staff of Organisation","content":"#### 24 Staff of Organisation\n\n  (1) The Chief Executive Officer may appoint such officers and engage such employees as the Board thinks necessary for the purposes of this Act.\n  (2) The Chief Executive Officer may arrange with an Agency Head (within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999), or with a body established by an Act, for the services of officers or employees of that Agency or of that body to be made available to the Organisation.\n  (3) The terms and conditions of service or employment of persons appointed or engaged under subsection (1) are such as are determined by the Board.","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"Part VII","sectionType":"part","heading":"Finance","content":"## Part VII—Finance","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Money of Organisation","content":"#### 27 Money of Organisation\n\n  (1) There is payable to the Organisation such money as is appropriated by the Parliament for the purposes of the Organisation.\n  (2) The Finance Minister may give directions as to the amounts in which, and the times at which, money referred to in subsection (1) is to be paid to the Organisation.\n  (3) The money of the Organisation shall be applied only:\n    (a) in payment or discharge of the expenses, charges, obligations and liabilities incurred or undertaken by the Organisation in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers;\n    (b) in payment of remuneration and allowances payable under this Act (other than Part VIIA); and\n    (c) in making any other payments required or permitted to be made by the Organisation.\n  (4) Subsection (3) does not prevent investment, under section 59 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, of money that is not immediately required for the purposes of the Organisation.","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Extra matters to be included in annual report","content":"#### 29 Extra matters to be included in annual report\n\n  The report prepared by the Board and given to the Minister under section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 for a period must include particulars of each direction, given by the Minister to the Board under section 11 of this Act, that is applicable in relation to the period.","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Exemption from taxation","content":"#### 30 Exemption from taxation\n\n  (1) The Organisation is not subject to taxation under any law of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory.\n  (2) Stamp duty or any similar tax is not payable under a law of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory in respect of:\n    (a) a security issued by the Organisation;\n    (b) the issue, redemption, transfer, sale or purchase of such a security, not including a transaction entered into without consideration or for an inadequate consideration; or\n    (c) a document executed by or on behalf of the Organisation, or any transaction, in relation to the borrowing of money by the Organisation.","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Borrowing from the Commonwealth","content":"#### 32 Borrowing from the Commonwealth\n\n  The Finance Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, out of money appropriated by the Parliament for the purpose, lend money to the Organisation at such rates of interest and on such other terms and conditions as that Minister determines in writing.","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"33","sectionType":"section","heading":"Borrowing otherwise than from the Commonwealth","content":"#### 33 Borrowing otherwise than from the Commonwealth\n\n  (1) The Organisation may, with the approval of the Finance Minister, borrow money otherwise than from the Commonwealth on terms and conditions that are specified in, or are consistent with, the approval.\n  (2) Approvals for the purposes of subsection (1) may be in respect of particular borrowings or in respect of borrowings included within a specified class, or specified classes, of borrowings.\n  (3) The Finance Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, guarantee the repayment by the Organisation of amounts borrowed under this section and the payment of interest on amounts so borrowed.\n  (4) An approval under subsection (1) shall be given in writing.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"34","sectionType":"section","heading":"Dealings with securities","content":"#### 34 Dealings with securities\n\n  (1) The Organisation may, with the approval of the Finance Minister but not otherwise, deal with securities.\n  (2) Where the Organisation borrows or otherwise raises money by dealing with securities, the Finance Minister may determine that the repayment by the Organisation of the amounts borrowed or raised, and the payment by the Organisation of interest (if any) on those amounts, are, by force of this subsection, guaranteed by the Commonwealth.\n  (3) The power of the Finance Minister to make a determination for the purposes of subsection (2) extends to the making of a determination in respect of:\n    (a) securities included in a specified class, or specified classes, of securities; and\n    (b) transactions included in a specified class, or specified classes, of transactions.\n  (4) An approval under subsection (1) shall be given in writing.","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"35","sectionType":"section","heading":"Organisation may give security","content":"#### 35 Organisation may give security\n\n  The Organisation may give security over the whole or any part of its assets:\n    (a) for the repayment of money borrowed under section 33 and the payment of any money that the Organisation is otherwise liable to pay in respect of those borrowings; and\n    (b) for the payment of any money that the Organisation is liable to pay in respect of dealings with securities under section 34;\n  including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, security for the payment of interest (if any) on money borrowed or otherwise raised by the Organisation.","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"36","sectionType":"section","heading":"Borrowings not otherwise permitted","content":"#### 36 Borrowings not otherwise permitted\n\n  The Organisation shall not borrow, or otherwise raise, money except in accordance with sections 32, 33 and 34.","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"36A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation by Finance Minister","content":"#### 36A Delegation by Finance Minister\n\n  (1) The Finance Minister may, by written instrument, delegate any of the Finance Minister’s powers or functions under section 33 or 34 to an official (within the meaning of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013) of a non‑corporate Commonwealth entity (within the meaning of that Act).\n  (2) In exercising powers or functions under a delegation, the official must comply with any directions of the Finance Minister.","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"Part VIII","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"## Part VIII—Miscellaneous","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"38","sectionType":"section","heading":"Gifts, grants etc.","content":"#### 38 Gifts, grants etc.\n\n  The Organisation may accept gifts, grants, bequests and devises made to the Organisation (whether on trust or otherwise) and may act as trustee of money or other property vested in the Organisation on trust.","sortOrder":45},{"sectionNumber":"39","sectionType":"section","heading":"Trust money","content":"#### 39 Trust money\n\n  (1) The Organisation shall ensure that any money received or held by the Organisation on trust is paid into an account that does not contain any money of the Organisation not held on trust.\n  (2) Notwithstanding section 27:\n    (a) money or other property held by the Organisation on trust shall be applied or dealt with only in accordance with the powers and duties of the Organisation as trustee; and\n    (b) money held by the Organisation on trust may be invested:\n    (i) in any manner in which the Organisation is authorised to invest that money by the terms of the trust; or\n    (ii) in any manner in which trust money may, for the time being, be invested under law;\n    but not otherwise.","sortOrder":46},{"sectionNumber":"41","sectionType":"section","heading":"Advisory committees","content":"#### 41 Advisory committees\n\n  (1) Subject to this section, the Minister may establish such advisory committees as the Minister considers necessary for the purpose of giving advice to the Board on particular matters or classes of matters relating to the functions of the Organisation.\n  (2) An advisory committee shall consist of such persons as the Minister from time to time appoints.\n  (3) A member of an advisory committee holds office for such period as is specified in the instrument of appointment of the member, but is eligible for re‑appointment.\n  (4) A member of an advisory committee may resign from office by writing signed by the member and delivered to the Chairperson of the Board.\n  (5) The number of members of an advisory committee required to constitute a quorum at a meeting of that advisory committee shall be as determined by the Board.\n  (6) If the Minister decides that a member of an advisory committee should be remunerated, that member shall be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.\n  (7) A member of an advisory committee shall be paid such allowances as are prescribed.\n  (8) Subsections (6) and (7) have effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"42","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation by Minister","content":"#### 42 Delegation by Minister\n\n  (1) The Minister may, either generally or as otherwise provided by the instrument of delegation, by writing signed by the Minister, delegate to a person all or any of the Minister’s powers under this Act, other than:\n    (a) this power of delegation; and\n    (b) the Minister’s powers under subparagraph 5(1)(a)(iii), subsection 9(10) and sections 11, 17 and 46.\n  (2) A power so delegated, when exercised by the delegate, shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been exercised by the Minister.\n  (3) A delegate is, in the exercise of a power so delegated, subject to the directions of the Minister.\n  (4) A delegation under this section does not prevent the exercise of a power by the Minister.","sortOrder":48},{"sectionNumber":"44","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation by Board","content":"#### 44 Delegation by Board\n\n  (1) The Board may, by resolution, delegate to a member of the Board or to an officer or employee, either generally or as otherwise provided by the resolution, all or any of the powers of the Board under this Act other than this power of delegation.\n  (2) A power so delegated, when exercised by the delegate, shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been exercised by the Board.\n  (3) A delegate is, in the exercise of a power so delegated, subject to the directions of the Board.\n  (4) A delegation under this section does not prevent the exercise of a power by the Board.","sortOrder":49},{"sectionNumber":"45","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation by Chief Executive Officer","content":"#### 45 Delegation by Chief Executive Officer\n\n  (1) The Chief Executive Officer may, either generally or as otherwise provided by the instrument of delegation, by writing signed by the Chief Executive Officer, delegate to an officer or employee all or any of the powers of the Chief Executive Officer under this Act other than this power of delegation.\n  (2) A power so delegated, when exercised by the delegate, shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been exercised by the Chief Executive Officer.\n  (3) A delegate is, in the exercise of a power so delegated, subject to the directions of the Chief Executive Officer.\n  (4) A delegation under this section does not prevent the exercise of a power by the Chief Executive Officer.","sortOrder":50},{"sectionNumber":"46","sectionType":"section","heading":"Joint Consultative Committee","content":"#### 46 Joint Consultative Committee\n\n  (1) There is hereby established a Joint Consultative Committee comprising:\n    (a) representatives of the Organisation; and\n    (b) either or both of the following:\n    (i) representatives of organisations of officers and full‑time employees of the Organisation;\n    (ii) representatives of officers and full‑time employees of the Organisation.\n  (2) The manner in which the Joint Consultative Committee is to be constituted, the functions of that Committee and the manner in which that Committee is to carry out its functions shall be as determined by the Minister.","sortOrder":51},{"sectionNumber":"47","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 47 Regulations\n\n  The Governor‑General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters:\n    (a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed by regulations; or\n    (b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed by regulations for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.","sortOrder":52}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has expanded significantly from its original 1987 purpose. Initially focused on nuclear research and atomic energy, it has grown to encompass: (1) comprehensive radioactive waste management for third parties including law enforcement and emergency agencies; (2) commercialisation and leasing functions; (3) broad 'scientific research, innovation and training' extending well beyond nuclear science; (4) constitutional safeguards added later to protect against constitutional challenge; and (5) specific political limitations (the Lucas Heights waste repository ban) that constrain rather than expand function. The waste management functions in particular (sections 5(1)(ba)-(bd)) represent a major expansion into environmental remediation and emergency response services not contemplated in the original atomic energy mandate."},"complexity_factors":["18 defined terms in the interpretation section, including recursive definitions (e.g., 'subcontractor' refers back to 'Commonwealth contractor')","Nested conditional logic in section 5(1) with 13 separate function paragraphs (a) through (m), many with multiple sub-paragraphs","Constitutional 'safety net' provision (section 6A) listing 14 separate heads of power to ensure validity","Complex immunity provisions (section 7A) with multiple exceptions and carve-outs for subsidiaries","Quorum rules for Board meetings (section 16) requiring both majority attendance AND majority of non-staff members, with special rules for conflict-of-interest situations","Cross-references to at least 5 other Acts (Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, Acts Interpretation Act 1901, Public Service Act 1999, Customs Act 1901)","Specific prohibition on Lucas Heights becoming a national waste repository (section 5(1A))—a politically charged conditional limitation","Multiple delegation chains (Minister to officials, Board to members/staff, CEO to officers) with varying limitations"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation establishes and governs the **Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)**—Australia's national nuclear research and development agency.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Transforms** the old Australian Atomic Energy Commission into ANSTO, a modern Commonwealth body corporate\n- **Sets ANSTO's mission**: conducting research into nuclear science and technology, producing medical radioisotopes, managing radioactive waste, and providing nuclear-related services to medicine, industry, and agriculture\n- **Explicitly prohibits** any research into nuclear weapons or explosive devices\n- **Creates governance structures**: a Board of Directors (5-8 appointed members plus the CEO) and a Chief Executive Officer who manages day-to-day operations\n- **Grants wide powers**: ANSTO can form companies, borrow money, buy property, and commercialise its research\n- **Provides special legal protections**: ANSTO and its subsidiaries are immune from certain State and Territory laws regarding land use, environmental rules, and licensing\n- **Establishes financial controls**: Parliamentary appropriations, borrowing limits, and tax exemptions\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **ANSTO staff and management** (employment terms, disclosure requirements)\n- **Medical patients** (through production of radioisotopes for cancer treatment and diagnosis)\n- **Commonwealth agencies** (waste management services)\n- **State governments** (limited by immunity provisions)\n- **The public** (through oversight mechanisms like parliamentary reporting and ministerial directions)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Act keeps Australia's only nuclear reactor (at Lucas Heights, Sydney) operating legally. It ensures Australia can produce critical medical isotopes (used in millions of diagnostic procedures annually), manage nuclear waste safely, and maintain nuclear expertise—while drawing a bright line against weapons research. The immunity provisions are significant: they mean ANSTO operates under Commonwealth law, not local planning or environmental laws, which has been controversial in waste management debates."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act reconstitutes the Commonwealth body that previously existed under the Atomic Energy Act 1953 as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and defines a broad operational and commercial remit. It explicitly authorises activities beyond pure research — including the conditioning, management and storage of radioactive materials and radioactive waste (s 5(1)(ba), (bb), (bc), (bd)), the sale and leasing of goods, services and facilities (s 5(1)(c), (ea)), and the provision of training and management expertise (s 5(1)(ea)). It also sets out finance powers (appropriations, borrowing approvals and Commonwealth guarantees, s 27, s 32–34), tax exemptions (s 30) and limited immunities from State/Territory laws in specific areas (s 7A). Those provisions expand and operationalise the Organisation’s practical scope of activity compared with merely continuing a corporate entity (s 4) by embedding commercial, financial and waste‑management authorities alongside research and advisory functions."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross‑references to other Commonwealth laws (Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973; Acts Interpretation Act 1901) that affect reporting, duties and remuneration (note to s 4; s 12; s 18; s 29).","Specialised technical subject‑matter (radioactive materials, spent nuclear fuel, conditioning and storage) with bespoke powers and limits (s 5(1)(ba)–(bd), s 5(1A), definitions in s 3).","Layered governance and appointment rules: Board composition, majority non‑staff requirement, appointment and termination rules, quorum rules tied to non‑staff membership (s 9, s 14, s 16).","Concentrated financial controls and approvals: Parliamentary appropriation, Finance Minister control of payments and borrowing approvals, ability for Commonwealth guarantees, and limits on dealing in securities (s 27, s 32–36).","State and Territory immunities for specific subject matters with carve‑outs and regulation exceptions (s 7A(1)–(5)), creating legal complexity in inter‑jurisdictional application.","Delegation architecture across Minister, Board and CEO with prescribed non‑delegable powers and directions to delegates (s 42–45, s 36A).","Specific prohibitions and constitutional limit clause that require legal interpretation to determine scope (s 5(2), s 5(1A), s 6A)."],"plain_english_summary":"# What this law does, in plain terms\n\n- Mechanically, the Act continues the existing Commonwealth body that operated under the Atomic Energy Act 1953 and re-establishes it as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). It gives ANSTO a corporate form, a seal, and the legal capacity to sue and be sued (s 4).\n\n- The Act sets out what ANSTO must and may do. Its core functions are to carry out research and development in nuclear science and related applications, produce and use radioisotopes, encourage application of R&D results, provide advice and training, liaise internationally, and supply goods and services connected with its work (s 5(1)(a)–(f), (c), (e), (g)–(m)). The Act also expressly authorises ANSTO to condition, manage and store radioactive materials and radioactive waste in a number of domestic and contracted circumstances (s 5(1)(ba), (bb), (bc), (bd)).\n\n- The Act places specific legal limits and obligations on ANSTO. It forbids research into the design or production of nuclear weapons (s 5(2)). It also says that regulations may not turn the Lucas Heights site into a \"national nuclear waste repository\" (s 5(1A)). Constitutional limits on the Organisation’s functions are stated (s 6A).\n\n# Who runs ANSTO and how decisions are made\n\n- Governance: a Board of Directors governs ANSTO. The Board includes the Chief Executive Officer and between 5 and 8 other members; non‑staff members must form a majority (s 9(1)–(3), (7)). The Governor‑General appoints the non‑staff Board members and selects the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson (s 9(2), (5)). The Board is responsible for policy and ensuring efficient performance of ANSTO’s functions (s 10).\n\n- Executive management: the Board appoints the Chief Executive Officer, who manages day‑to‑day affairs subject to Board directions and Board‑determined policy (s 18, 19).\n\n- Ministerial control and oversight: the Minister may give written directions to the Board where the Minister believes it is in the public interest, and the Board must comply (s 11). The Minister may also establish advisory committees and determine their constitution (s 41). Many ministerial powers can be delegated, subject to limits (s 42).\n\n# Money, borrowing and commercial activity — who pays and who earns\n\n- Funding: ANSTO receives parliamentary appropriations (money paid to the Organisation as appropriated by Parliament) (s 27(1)). The Finance Minister may direct timings and amounts of those payments (s 27(2)).\n\n- Commercial activities and revenue: ANSTO may produce, sell and lease goods and services connected with its functions, and make available its knowledge, equipment and facilities on a commercial or non‑commercial basis (s 5(1)(c), (ea)). It may accept gifts and act as trustee (s 38, 39).\n\n- Borrowing and guarantees: ANSTO may borrow from the Commonwealth (s 32) or borrow from others with approval from the Finance Minister (s 33). The Finance Minister may guarantee ANSTO’s borrowing and may approve dealings in securities, subject to written approvals (s 33, 34). ANSTO may grant security over its assets to secure borrowings (s 35). The Finance Minister may delegate some of these powers to an official (s 36A).\n\n- Tax and stamp duty: ANSTO is exempt from taxation under Commonwealth, State or Territory law and exempt from stamp duties and similar taxes on certain securities and related transactions (s 30).\n\n# Regulatory and legal position\n\n- State and Territory laws: for specific subject matters (use of land/premises, environmental consequences of land use, radioactive materials or dangerous goods, and certain licensing), a State or Territory law that falls within the section may be treated as never applying to ANSTO, its property, transactions or companies in which it has a controlling interest, subject to exceptions and regulations (s 7A(1)–(5)).\n\n- Reporting and transparency: the Board must include in its annual report particulars of any written directions the Minister gave the Board during the reporting period (s 29). The Minister must table statements to Parliament if ANSTO buys company securities, except in limited commercial‑sensitivity circumstances (s 7(3)). The Chief Executive Officer and Board members must disclose pecuniary interests (s 22; cross-reference to PGPA Act s 29).\n\n# Administrative features, delegation and limits\n\n- Delegation: the Minister, the Board and the Chief Executive Officer may delegate many of their powers under the Act to others, with specific exclusions for certain powers (s 42–45). Delegates act subject to the directions of the delegator (s 42(3), 44(3), 45(3)).\n\n- Limits and safeguards: the Act includes express prohibitions (weapons research, s 5(2)), constraints on where waste can be designated as permanently stored (s 5(1A)), constitutional limits on the Organisation’s activities (s 6A) and reporting/disclosure duties (s 22, 29).\n\n# Practical consequences, incentives and trade‑offs (sourced to the Act)\n\n- Incentives to commercialise: the Act explicitly permits ANSTO to sell goods and services, lease equipment and land, and provide training and management expertise (s 5(1)(c), (ea)). That creates a revenue incentive to market ANSTO’s assets and expertise alongside receiving appropriation funding (s 27(1)).\n\n- Who pays and who benefits: taxpayers supply appropriation funding (s 27(1)); ANSTO may also earn revenue from selling goods and services (s 5(1)(c), (ea)). The Finance Minister controls borrowing and guarantees that affect the Commonwealth’s contingent liabilities (s 33–34).\n\n- Compliance burden and discretion: ANSTO may be insulated from some State or Territory regulatory requirements for specific matters while it holds controlling interests (s 7A). At the same time, it must disclose Ministerial directions (s 29) and certain securities purchases to Parliament (s 7(3)). The Minister’s direction power (s 11) and the Finance Minister’s control over borrowing and securities dealings (s 32–36) concentrate important financial and operational discretion in Ministers and the Finance Minister.\n\n- Risks and trade‑offs: authorising ANSTO to condition and store radioactive materials and waste (s 5(1)(ba), (bb), (bc), (bd)) transfers responsibilities and potential long‑term costs to the Organisation and, indirectly, to the Commonwealth if guarantees or appropriations are involved (s 27, s 33). The Act tries to limit some outcomes (e.g. preventing Lucas Heights becoming a \"national nuclear waste repository\" by regulation, s 5(1A)) and preserves constitutional constraints on activity (s 6A).\n\n# Implementation and oversight signals\n\n- The Act embeds the Organisation within Commonwealth governance frameworks by cross‑reference to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 for reporting and resource management (note to s 4 and s 29) and uses the Remuneration Tribunal for setting pay for non‑staff Board members and the CEO (s 12, s 21).\n\nOverall, the Act creates a Commonwealth corporate entity focused on nuclear science and technology, gives it a mix of public‑purpose and commercial powers, sets a governance structure with Ministerial and Finance Minister oversight on important matters (directions, borrowing, guarantees, securities), provides tax and regulatory exemptions for specified areas, and imposes specific prohibitions and reporting requirements intended to limit some outcomes (s 4, 5, 5(1A), 6A, 11, 27, 29, 30, 33–36, 7A)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1987 Act focused primarily on nuclear research, radioisotope production, and international liaison. Over time, the scope has significantly expanded — most notably through the addition of extensive radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management functions (sections 5(1)(ba) through (bd)), including managing waste from third parties, Commonwealth contractors, and law enforcement agencies. The addition of broad commercial powers (section 5(1)(ea)) to make facilities, expertise, and equipment available on a commercial basis also represents a material expansion beyond the original research-focused mandate. The constitutional limits provision (section 6A) was also added to anchor the expanded functions within federal legislative power."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple layers of governance (Minister, Board, CEO, advisory committees) with overlapping powers and checks","Constitutional limits section (6A) requires understanding of Commonwealth heads of power under the Australian Constitution","Immunity from state and territory laws (section 7A) involves complex interplay between federal and state regulatory regimes","Detailed financial provisions involving Finance Minister approvals, securities dealings, guarantees, and borrowing restrictions","Extensive definitions section with technically precise terms (e.g., 'spent nuclear fuel', 'ANSTO spent nuclear fuel', 'Commonwealth contractor', 'Commonwealth entity')","Radioactive waste management functions have multiple sub-categories with different triggering conditions and legal implications","Cross-references to multiple other Acts (Public Governance Performance and Accountability Act 2013, Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, Public Service Act 1999, Atomic Energy Act 1953, Customs Act 1901)","Distinction between staff and non-staff Board members affects quorum rules, appointment processes, and voting — requires careful tracking throughout","Prohibition on Lucas Heights becoming a national nuclear waste repository embedded with a specific statutory definition of that term"],"plain_english_summary":"## What is this law about?\n\nThis Act creates and governs **ANSTO — the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation**, Australia's national nuclear science agency. It's essentially the rulebook for how ANSTO is set up, what it can do, and who runs it.\n\n## Who is ANSTO and what does it do?\n\nANSTO is a government-owned organisation (a 'body corporate' — meaning it can own property, sign contracts, and sue or be sued like a company). It was originally called the Australian Atomic Energy Commission and was renamed and restructured by this Act in 1987.\n\n**ANSTO's main jobs include:**\n- Researching nuclear science and technology\n- Producing and selling **radioisotopes** (radioactive materials used in medical scans, cancer treatment, and industrial testing)\n- Managing and storing **radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel** (used-up reactor fuel)\n- Providing advice on nuclear science to government and industry\n- Working with international organisations on nuclear matters\n- Training scientists and making its facilities available to others\n\n**What ANSTO is NOT allowed to do:**\n- Design or produce nuclear weapons or explosive devices — this is explicitly prohibited\n- Become a national nuclear waste dump (the Lucas Heights site in Sydney cannot be turned into a permanent national nuclear waste repository)\n\n## Who runs ANSTO?\n\nANSTO is run by a **Board of Directors** (between 6 and 9 people, including the CEO). Most Board members must be outsiders (not ANSTO staff), appointed by the Governor-General for up to 5 years. The day-to-day management is handled by a **Chief Executive Officer**, appointed by the Board.\n\nThe **Minister** (a federal government minister) can give the Board written directions if it's in the public interest, and those directions must be followed. ANSTO must report these ministerial directions to Parliament.\n\n## How does the money work?\n\nANSTO receives funding from Parliament, can earn money from commercial activities, can borrow money (with the Finance Minister's approval), and is **fully exempt from all taxes** — federal, state, and territory.\n\n## Why does this matter to you?\n\n- **Medical patients**: ANSTO produces the radioactive materials used in nuclear medicine — including PET scans and cancer treatments. This law keeps that operation running.\n- **Taxpayers**: ANSTO is publicly funded, and this Act creates accountability mechanisms (Board oversight, ministerial directions, annual reports to Parliament).\n- **People near Lucas Heights (Sydney)**: The Act explicitly protects the site from becoming a permanent national nuclear waste dump.\n- **Businesses and researchers**: ANSTO can partner with companies, lease facilities, and commercialise its research — this law enables that.\n- **State and Territory governments**: ANSTO and companies it controls are **immune from many state and territory laws** relating to land use, environmental impacts, radioactive materials, and licensing — a significant carve-out of normal regulatory oversight."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"circular_definition","section":"s3 - definition of 'subcontractor'","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Paragraph (b) of the subcontractor definition references 'another subcontractor (under a previous application of this definition)'. This creates a definitional loop: each subcontractor at tier N requires a subcontractor at tier N-1, which requires one at N-2, ad infinitum. While intended to capture multi-tier supply chains, it technically has no logical floor and could be read as requiring infinite prior contracting relationships before the definition can be satisfied at any tier.","confidence":0.65,"description":"The definition of 'subcontractor' is infinitely recursive. A subcontractor is a party to a contract with 'another subcontractor (under a previous application of this definition)', which itself requires a prior application of the same definition. The chain of subcontractors has no defined termination point and logically requires an infinite regress of prior subcontractors to ground the definition."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"s5(1A) and s5(1B)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The definition in s5(1B) turns on the Commonwealth's subjective view ('with a view to it never being moved'). A site could hold waste indefinitely while the Commonwealth maintains a stated intention to eventually relocate it, thus never technically qualifying as a 'national nuclear waste repository' no matter how long waste remains. The prohibition is therefore practically hollow and unenforceable against a determined Commonwealth actor.","confidence":0.72,"description":"The prohibition on Lucas Heights becoming a 'national nuclear waste repository' defined as a site chosen 'after the commencement of this subsection' with a view to waste 'never being moved' is practically unadministrable. The decisive criterion is the subjective intention of the Commonwealth at the time of choosing the site, which is inherently unprovable and disputable, and could be circumvented simply by declaring a present intention to eventually move waste."},{"type":"self_contradicting","section":"s24(1)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The grammatical structure grants the action to the CEO ('The Chief Executive Officer may appoint') but conditions it on the Board's view ('as the Board thinks necessary'). Under s19(1), the CEO manages affairs subject to Board directions, but s24(1) does not frame this as a direction — it embeds the Board's subjective assessment as a jurisdictional prerequisite to the CEO's own power. In practice, it is unclear how the CEO is to ascertain what the Board 'thinks' absent a formal resolution, creating an unresolvable ambiguity about when the power is validly exercised.","confidence":0.7,"description":"Section 24(1) provides that the Chief Executive Officer may appoint officers and engage employees 'as the Board thinks necessary'. This creates a structural absurdity: the power to act (appoint/engage) is vested in the CEO, but the operative criterion for exercising that power is the Board's opinion, not the CEO's. The CEO must therefore either read the Board's mind or seek Board approval before every appointment, yet the provision does not require a Board resolution."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"s9(12)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The 3-month grace period presupposes that vacancies will be filled within that time, but the Act imposes no obligation on the Governor-General to act within 3 months. If the Governor-General delays beyond 3 months, the Board arguably loses legal capacity to perform functions, but there is no provision specifying the consequence, no mechanism for enforcement, and no fallback.","confidence":0.68,"description":"Section 9(12) states that Board functions are not affected by there being fewer than 5 appointed members 'for a period of not more than 3 months'. Read literally, this provision only saves Board operations for up to 3 months. After 3 months, there is no saving provision, yet the Act contains no mechanism to compel the Governor-General to fill vacancies within that period, creating a potential legal void where the Board cannot validly act but cannot be compelled to be reconstituted."},{"type":"other","section":"s16A and s16(5)","severity":"low","reasoning":"With minimum Board membership and the CEO excluded, the quorum arithmetic can produce edge cases where the dual requirement of s16(5)(a) (majority of members holding office) and s16(5)(b) (majority present are non-staff) conflict, particularly where staff members other than the CEO are on the Board and the number of non-staff members is at or near the minimum required for majority. While manageable in practice, it represents a latent logical tension.","confidence":0.5,"description":"Section 16A requires the CEO to be disregarded for quorum purposes during deliberations about the CEO, and s16(5) requires both a majority of all members and a majority of non-staff members to be present. When the CEO is disregarded, the composition of 'members' shifts, potentially making it arithmetically impossible to achieve the dual majority requirement with a Board at minimum composition (5 appointed members + CEO = 6 total; if CEO is disregarded, only 5 remain, requiring 3 present who must also be a majority of non-staff members)."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"s7(3)(b)(ii)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Parliamentary accountability mechanisms are rendered optional where the Minister controls both the precondition for disclosure (their own opinion) and the timing. The provision creates a structurally unchecked exemption from transparency obligations with no sunset clause, no requirement for periodic review of the opinion, and no independent arbiter.","confidence":0.75,"description":"The obligation to table a statement about securities subscriptions is deferred while the Minister holds the opinion that disclosure would adversely affect commercial interests, with the obligation triggering when the Minister 'ceases to be of that opinion'. There is no time limit on how long the Minister may hold this opinion, and no external check on its bona fides, effectively giving the Minister an indefinite and unreviewable power to suppress Parliamentary disclosure."}],"contradictions":[{"severity":"low","section_a":"s5(2)","section_b":"s5(1)(a)(i) and s5(1)(a)(ia)","confidence":0.55,"description":"Section 5(2) prohibits the Organisation from undertaking 'research or development into the design or production of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.' However, s5(1)(a)(i) and (ia) broadly authorise research and development in 'nuclear science and nuclear technology' and 'the application and use of nuclear science and nuclear technology' without carving out weapons-related science. Nuclear weapons design is a subset of nuclear science and technology, creating a textual tension between the broad grant and the narrow prohibition that may require external interpretation to resolve in edge cases."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"s10(1)","section_b":"s11(1) and s11(2)","confidence":0.52,"description":"Section 10(1) states the Board determines Organisation policy 'subject to section 11', and s11 allows the Minister to give directions. However, s10(2) requires the Board to 'have regard to' current Commonwealth Government policies, while s11(2) requires the Board to 'ensure' directions are complied with. These impose different standards of deference (regard vs. compliance), which may conflict where a Ministerial direction is inconsistent with a government policy the Board is only required to 'have regard to', leaving the Board uncertain as to which obligation prevails in cases of inconsistency short of a formal direction."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"s7A(1)","section_b":"s6A(1)","confidence":0.6,"description":"Section 7A(1) grants the Organisation immunity from certain State and Territory laws 'taken never to have applied', but s6A restricts the Organisation to performing functions only within specified constitutional heads of power. If the Organisation performs a function outside those heads of power, s6A renders it ultra vires, yet s7A would still purport to immunise that ultra vires activity from State or Territory law. This creates an absurd situation where an unlawful act by the Organisation is simultaneously invalid under s6A and shielded from State/Territory regulation under s7A."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"s30(1)","section_b":"s27(3)(a)","confidence":0.4,"description":"Section 30(1) exempts the Organisation from taxation under any Commonwealth law. Section 27(3)(a) requires Organisation money to be applied in payment of 'expenses, charges, obligations and liabilities'. If a Commonwealth tax were validly imposed (e.g., through a subsequent Act that expressly overrides s30), the interaction between the exemption and the expenditure authority creates ambiguity about whether the Organisation has lawful authority to pay such a tax from its funds, since s30 denies the tax arises at all."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"s9(7)","section_b":"s9(1)(a) and s9(5)","confidence":0.55,"description":"Section 9(7) prohibits appointing a non-CEO staff member to the Board if non-staff members would not constitute a majority. Section 9(5) requires the Governor-General to appoint one member as Chairperson and another as Deputy Chairperson. If the Governor-General appoints the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson from within the Organisation's staff (other than the CEO), this could breach s9(7)'s majority requirement, yet s9(5) does not expressly restrict these appointments to non-staff members, creating a potential conflict between the two provisions."}]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/australian-nuclear-science-and-technology-organisation-act-1987","history":"/api/acts/australian-nuclear-science-and-technology-organisation-act-1987/history","analysis":"/api/acts/australian-nuclear-science-and-technology-organisation-act-1987/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/australian-nuclear-science-and-technology-organisation-act-1987/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/australian-nuclear-science-and-technology-organisation-act-1987/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/australian-nuclear-science-and-technology-organisation-act-1987/documents"}}