MINUTES
23-24 June 2016
Miranda, NSW
Chair	Dr Roger Allison	
Members	Mr Keith Baldry, Mr Niall Byrne, Dr Jane Canestra, Ms Melissa Holzberger, Dr Carl‑Magnus Larsson, Ms Geraldine Robertson, Dr Steven Skov, Dr Melanie Taylor	
Secretary	Ms Julia Carpenter (ARPANSA) 	
Invitees		
Apologies	Mr Simon Critchley, Prof Adele Green, Mr Frank Harris, Prof Pamela Sykes,	
Observers	ARPANSA Staff: Mr Jack Dillich, Ms Tone Doyle, Dr Stephen Solomon, Dr Ivan Williams (Items 5.1, 7.1), Dr Rick Tinker (Items 1.1-2.3); Mr Selva Kumar (Item 2.3); Ms Diane Harrison (Items 4.1 – 4.4); Mr Peter Thomas (Item 3.1); Mr Paul Marks (Item 5.1); Mr George Savvides (Item 2.4)	

1.	STANDING ITEMS
Item 1.1	Opening of meeting		Chair	
The Chair opened the meeting at 10:35 on 23 June and welcomed members and observers. 
Item 1.2	Business arising from previous meeting and review of action list	Chair	
Members noted the minutes and action list from the March 2016 meeting (approved out of session).
Item 1.3	Report from the member representing the interests of the general public	Ms Robertson	
The member representing the interests of the general public noted that no correspondence from the public has been received since the March 2016 meeting. 
Members noted the outcomes of the Electro-Magnetic Energy Reference Group (EMERG) meeting in May 2016, including the special session held to discuss uncertainty of science in the EMR area. 
Item 1.4	Update from RHC and NSC	Dr Larsson	
The recent activities of the Radiation Health Committee (RHC) and the Nuclear Safety Committee (NSC) were reviewed. Members noted the progress of four codes currently under development by the RHC and the results of ARPANSA’s gap analysis against ISO 1720 and ISO 9001. 

2.	UPDATE ON ARPANSA ACTIVITIES
Item 2.1	Update from the CEO	Dr  Larsson	
Members were updated on ARPANSA’s budget for the 2016-17 financial year including potential opportunities to deliver addition radiation protection services that would benefit the community. 
An update was provided on the wi-fi in schools project. Measurements of radiofrequency radiation in schools have begun this week, with initial measurements showing levels well below the limits in RPS3. A detailed report will be published following the conclusion of the study.
Item 2.2	International Engagement	Dr  Larsson	
Members noted the papers provided on international travel.
Item 2.3	IRRS Update	Mr Kumar	
Mr Kumar gave an overview of the work that has been undertaken to date in relation to the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission to be held in Australia in 2018. A plan detailing future activities in the lead up to the mission was also presented. Activities will include a self-assessment and review of ARPANSA’s procedures against the IAEA safety standards, development of an action plan to address any issues identified.
All states and territories have been encouraged to participate in the peer review. 
Item 2.4	ARPANSA Business Planning	Ms Doyle, Dr Solomon, Mr Dillich, Mr Savvides	
The heads of ARPANSA’s Radiation Health Services Branch, Regulatory Services Branch, Office of the CEO and Corporate Office provided updates on key activities that will be undertaken over the next financial year.
Item 2.5	UV strategy	Dr  Solomon	
Dr Solomon outlined ARPANSA’s draft UV Strategy. Members agreed to provide additional feedback out of session and ARPANSA will present a refined draft at the November meeting. 
Item 2.6	How do we answer the question ‘what is safe?’	Dr Larsson	
Members provided feedback on two discussion papers related to communication with the public during and following an emergency. Council reiterated the importance of timely, clear and consistent communication with the pubic.

3.	UPDATE FROM WORKING GROUPS
Item 3.1	Working Group 2: Medical	Chair	
Working group 2 updated the Council on recent personal changes at key organisations. Members discussed emerging issues in medical radiation including using CT technology for lung cancer screening in high risk populations. 
Item 3.2	Working Group 4: Reference Levels	Dr  Solomon	
Working group 4 members provided an overview of their discussions in relation to emergency reference levels and the revision of RPS7, including the need for a reference levels and the social costs and benefits of evacuation. The Working Group agreed to produce a more detailed discussion paper out of session.
Item 3.3	Working Group 5: ARPANSA Communications	Ms Doyle	
Council agreed to postpone discussion of a proposal to merge working group 1 and working group 5 to session 7.1.
Item 3.4	Working Group 3: Precautionary Approach	Chair	
A draft single page position paper on the Linear-No-Threshold approach was received from Working Group 3. Due to the absence of working group 3 Members the paper will be discussed at the next council meeting.

4.	NATIONAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY (NRWMF)

 Item 4.1	Update on Status of NRWMF Project	Ms Harrison	
Members were updated on the current status of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (DoIIS) NRWMF project. It was noted that ARPANSA’s role is very limited at this stage, with most of ARPANSA’s involvement focused on preparing communication and stakeholder engagement material. DoIIS are now taking the lead on the ARTEMIS peer review mission to Australia which is expected to take place in late 2018.
Item 4.2	Working Group 1: NRWMF	Ms Holzberger	
Working Group 1 tabled a draft letter to the CEO outlining Council’s view on the importance of maintaining both actual and perceived independence from DoIIS throughout the licence application and assessment process for the proposed NRWMF. Members agreed to finalise and send the letter to the CEO out of session. The letter and the CEO’s response will be published on ARPANSA’s website.
Items 4.3 and 4.4	ARPANSA’s communication strategy for NRWMF project	Ms Doyle	
Council provided feedback on a number of fact sheets currently under development.

5.	UPDATE: MEDICAL RADIATION SERVICES

 Item 5.1	Update	Dr Williams	
Council noted an update on Medical Radiation Services Branch, including the process currently underway to transition the Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS) to a fully operational service and the development of the training module ‘RPOMP’ (Radiation Protection of the Medical Practitioner) which is designed to educate staff of the risks, consequences and requirements of operating in a radiation environment.

6.	INFORMATION FOR STAKEHOLDERS: DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE
Item 6.1	Draft Guide for Stakeholders	Dr Larsson	
Members provided feedback on an ARPANSA draft document intended to be a companion document to ARPANSA’s Regulatory Guidance on the Disposal of Radioactive Waste. 

7.	REVIEW OF WORKING GROUPS

 Item 7.1 	Review of Working Groups	Chair	
Members discussed progress made by each of the working groups and proposed a number of changes to working groups to ensure continued alignment with ARPANSA’s requirements and strategies. Council agreed that:
WG1 and WG5 would be merged and will provide advice on ARPANSA’s work in relation to the NRWMF as needed.
WG3 and WG4 will continue to finalise current papers which are near completion.
WG2 addresses a number of ongoing issues, but the scope of the working group will be clarified to provided better focus. Discussion included the need for and use of DI Guidelines and Decision Support Tools for DI requesters to ensure that requests are appropriate and necessary.

8.	OTHER BUSINESS

 Item 8.1	Update on Council Appointments	Dr Larsson	
Appointments for new members have been delayed due to the federal election. Expressions of Interest for vacant positions will be advertised in the coming months.
Item 8.2	Upcoming meetings – location and dates	Chair	
The next meeting will be held in Brisbane in November. 
Item 8.3	Review of Action List	Chair	
Members agreed the actions arising from the meeting.
Item 8.4	Close of meeting	Chair	
The Chair closed the meeting at 12:50 on 24 June.