More nuclear waste on the move

2:15 PM

The Government has announced that more nuclear waste is on the move through the Tasman Sea, with a shipment leaving Sydney bound for France.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff says the shipment of spent nuclear fuel from the Lucas Heights research reactor is highly unlikely to come near New Zealand's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.

He says New Zealand is strongly opposed to nuclear shipments and expects the highest safety standards to apply.

The Government is also unhappy that Australia has taken so long to warn it about the shipment.

Discussions with Australia on the issue are continuing, with the Government seeking an assurance it will be warned of such a shipment as soon as possible in future.

Last week Mr Goff gave an assurance that two British ships carrying nuclear waste from France to Japan are unlikely to sail close to New Zealand waters.

- IRN