An experienced submariner is the inaugural Director-General of a new regulatory Agency pivotal to the rollout of Australian nuclear subs.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Michael Drake would oversee the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said the new statutory Agency was responsible for the effective regulatory oversight of Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion capabilities.
He said it would provide independent assurance that the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection were upheld.
“(It) marks another important step in the delivery of Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“This new Agency will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety and stewardship.”
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said Mr Drake brought to the role technical expertise and a decade of maritime regulation experience, including most recently as the Executive Director of Operations with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and before that 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy where he served primarily in Australia’s Collins class submarines.
He said, commencing with over 70 trained staff, the new Agency had been working closely with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Commonwealth authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety, to ensure a smooth transition of regulatory oversight.
Mr Drake said he recognised the Agency’s important role in delivering Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“The agency brings expertise from across Australia and internationally, with a clear mandate to deliver independent, evidence-based regulation,” he said.
“We are committed to working with all Australian stakeholders and our AUKUS partners to uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and radiological protection.”
