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Australia’s Northern Territory asks new Prime Minister to stop nuclear waste dump plan

Former Prime Minister John Howard planned to build the dump on Muckaty Station, in Central Australia, because the Northern Territory did not have the constitutional strength to block the move.

Hendo urges Gillard to dump Muckaty, Northern Territory News, NICK CALACOURAS  June 26th, 2010 AUSTRALIA’S new Prime Minister Julia Gillard should rethink her predecessor’s decision to build a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory, Chief Minister Paul Henderson said.

Mr Henderson said the Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump would be one of the first issues on the table.

“Let’s open up this process again,” he said.

“Let’s have a science-based process, not a put up your hand and I’d like it here process that the Government is following at the moment.”

Mr Henderson said he hoped to talk to Ms Gillard this weekend……….

The nuclear waste dump has been the most significant point of disagreement between the Territory and Federal governments.

Former Prime Minister John Howard planned to build the dump on Muckaty Station, in Central Australia, because the Northern Territory did not have the constitutional strength to block the move.

The Northern Land Council nominated Muckaty under a $12 million deal.

But Kevin Rudd went to the 2007 election promising to choose a location based on “the science”.

Previous scientific surveys have pointed to Roxby Downs in South Australia as the most suitable location.

Mr Rudd promised to repeal the law that could force the dump on the NT.

But when the government finally repealed this legislation earlier this year, they replaced the law with the same provision – allowing the dump to be forced on the Territory.

Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson admitted the new law had the same application as the old one.

“In no way can we allow any state or Territory government to get in the way of establishing a repository,” he said.

Solomon MHR Damian Hale spoke out against his own government.

He accepted that Australia had an obligation to store its nuclear waste, but said the site should be chosen for scientific reasons, not because the NT was a constitutional “weak link”.

Mr Rudd promised to repeal the law that could force the dump on the NT.

But when the government finally repealed this legislation earlier this year, they replaced the law with the same provision – allowing the dump to be forced on the Territory.

Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson admitted the new law had the same application as the old one.

“In no way can we allow any state or Territory government to get in the way of establishing a repository,” he said.

Solomon MHR Damian Hale spoke out against his own government.

He accepted that Australia had an obligation to store its nuclear waste, but said the site should be chosen for scientific reasons, not because the NT was a constitutional “weak link”.

Hendo urges Gillard to dump Muckaty | Northern Territory News | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ntnews.com.au

June 26, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA, wastes | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radioactive, reactors, uranium