Media Releases

Media release

December 3, 2009

No hiding the nuclear waste elephant- environment group calls for end to NT waste dump plan.

The Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI) in the Northern Territory is calling for the federal government to promptly act on a Senate Committee report calling for laws forcing a radioactive waste dump on the NT to be overturned.

The call comes as Liberal Party politicians flag nuclear power as a solution to the climate change crisis, with one sitting Member explicitly recommending the radioactive waste could be dumped on unwilling NT communities.

BNI coordinator Natalie Wasley said “On ABC’s Lateline last night, Liberal Senator Judith Troeth said that a ‘viable option’ for high-level nuclear waste from nuclear power reactors would be to dump it at sites currently being considered for waste from the Lucas Heights nuclear research reactor.”

“Targeted communities strongly oppose this plan and are supported by the NT Government. They do not view living and working as close as three kilometers away from a radioactive waste dump as a ‘viable option’ for their families.”

Ms Wasley added, “Senator Troeth participated in a Senate Committee that recommended in December last year that the government repeal the Howard-era Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act (CRWMA) in the first sittings of 2009”.

“The Committee report recognised injustices imbued in the current legislation, which neither require consent from Traditional Owners to select a dump site, nor allows a legal challenge to the site selection process.”

“Radioactive waste is the nuclear industry’s elephant in the room. After sixty years there is still not a high level waste dump operating anywhere in the world. Senator Troeth might believe that the Australian desert is a political sacrifice zone, but the people living and working there will not stand by and be dumped upon”.

“The previous plan to dump waste in remote South Australia was defeated and Territory communities- supported by the NT Government and a growing movement of trade unions, environment and health organisations- are determined to also win this campaign, ” Ms Wasley concluded.

The Beyond Nuclear Initiative calls on Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to unconditionally repeal the waste dump laws as recommended by the December 2008 Senate Committee report and as promised by the ALP before the last federal election.

Further comment: Natalie Wasley 0429 900 774

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August 20, 2009

Community involvement needed on radioactive waste dump decision

Consult: 1. to seek counsel from; ask advice of 2. to refer to for information 3. to have regard for (a person’s interest, etc) in making plans 4. to consider or deliberate; take counsel; confer [Macquarie Dictionary]

Environmentalists have condemned federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson’s announcement that he will select a site for a federal radioactive waste dump without consultation or an open, transparent and credible process.

There is growing opposition from Traditional Owners and affected Aboriginal people that the federal government intends to push ahead with plans to impose a dump in the Muckaty Land Trust near Tennant Creek.

The Minister’s office today confirmed that the Mr Ferguson would ‘consult all affected parties but only once a decision has been made’.

“Telling people your plans is not consultation,” said Beyond Nuclear Initiative spokesperson Natalie Wasley.

“People have been active, assertive and consistent in trying to engage with this process for many years. The ALP committed to a new process that was inclusive and accountable, but the Ministers comments today effectively sideline community involvement”.

“Martin Ferguson is replicating the mistakes of the Howard government in his approach to radioactive waste management. He is looking for a short term political fix to a long term environmental problem and like his nuclear predecessors – former Ministers Minchin, McGauran, Nelson and Bishop – he will not succeed”.

“Responsible radioactive waste management is not based on secretive decision making and decide-announce-defend policies”.

Minister Ferguson is failing to honour a clear ALP election promise and failing the Northern Territory community.”

Further information and comment:

Natalie Wasley 0429 900 774

Dianne Stokes (Muckaty Traditional Owner) 0427 159 876

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2009

August 20-_Community involvement needed on radioactive waste dump decision

July 15-_Four years too long

July 15-_United stance against radioactive dump

July 12-Time to dump the NT dump

March 19-CRWMA repeal voted down