Premier Jay Weatherill has received a report from the first Citizens’ Jury on the nuclear fuel cycle, which will now set the agenda for the state-wide consultation starting later this month.

The Jury of 50 randomly selected South Australians delivered its report this afternoon, following two weekends of deliberations at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

The Jury’s report identifies four key themes that they believe South Australians should discuss during the state-wide consultation, including:

• Community consent – and the importance of an informed opinion
• Economics – including the benefits and risks to the State
• Safety – including key issues around storage, health and transport
• Trust – noting that accountability and transparency must be built into any regulatory systems

The report also includes a ‘call to action’, requesting all South Australians to join the Jury in being part of this process of shaping the State’s future.

The Citizen's Jury report is now available at www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/nuclear.

Background

The Citizens Jury was held over two weekends (25/26 June, and 9/10 July) and was tasked with identifying key issues from the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission findings that South Australians should consider in more detail.

More than 30 expert witnesses appeared and specialists in the fields of environment, economics, Aboriginal heritage and culture, safety, regulation and geology provided information to help the jury work through the issues and better understand the report.

The state’s largest engagement program will begin later this month, with around 100 sites being visited, including more than 60 towns.

A full list of dates, venues and times will be available on the YourSAy nuclear website this week, and will be advertised through local press, radio and online.

In October, a second Citizens’ Jury of approximately 350 people, including the original members of the first Jury, will be convened to evaluate the feedback from the state-wide consultation and weigh up the choices and options on the important issues raised by the Royal Commission.

In November, this second Jury will produce a report summarising the community’s position for the Government to consider in its response to the Royal Commission’s Report by the end of the year.

The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission was established in March last year to consider the practical, economic and ethical issues raised by South Australia’s deeper potential involvement in nuclear mining, enrichment, energy and storage.

People can remain informed about the process by visiting www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/nuclear.

Quotes attributable to Premier Jay Weatherill

I would like to thank the 50 members of the Citizen’s Jury for giving up their time to be a part of this very important decision.

The Jury has now set the agenda for this statewide consultation, which will focus on the four these of community consent, economics, safety and trust.

This has been a very open process with sessions streamed online so all South Australians can watch how the Jury reached its judgement.

Ultimately the decision will be made by the State Government, but this decision will be informed by this important discussion involving all South Australians.