Antinuclear

Martin Ferguson’s nuke waste dump on aboriginal land might not succeed

Traditional owners opposed to the radioactive waste dump will continue to fight to keep their country clean – and they may prevail after yet another protracted struggle.

NT nuclear waste dump — traditional owners say no Green Left. Natalie Wasley, Alice Springs, 26 February 2010 “… the minister’s new legislation entrenches another unfair process which began under the former Howard government.

Section 11 of the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010 provides the minister with the power to override any and all state or territory laws, which might in any way impede his nuclear waste dump plans.

Ferguson said on February 23: “Our new law will effectively have the same application as the previous government in respect of that area. In no way can we allow any state or territory government to get in the way of establishing a repository”………….a reading of the bill reveals that Ferguson also intends to override the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 in relation to site selection. Thus Ferguson is denying the environment minister any role in the site selection process.

Ferguson claims that Ngapa traditional owners support the nomination of the Muckaty site. He well knows that many Ngapa traditional owners oppose the dump. As well as numerous, requests for meetings, he was sent a letter opposing the dump in May 2009 signed by 25 Ngapa traditional owners and 32 traditional owners from other Muckaty groups.

When quizzed about the letter on ABC radio on February 23, Ferguson quickly changed the topic. ………..
Traditional owners opposed to the radioactive waste dump will continue to fight to keep their country clean – and they may prevail after yet another protracted struggle. Muckaty traditional owner Dianne Stokes has been speaking against the proposal since its inception and is determined to see it through.

“We have been writing letters to the government body signed by the traditional owners. We have been asking for someone to come and sit with us so that we can talk to them face to face. We want to keep talking about it and continue to fight it until we are listened to.”

Ferguson made repeated mention of nuclear medicine when he outlined his new dump process. But the ongoing practice of nuclear medicine is in no way dependent on securing a dump site — let alone the hotly-contested Muckaty site —

Green Left – NT nuclear waste dump — traditional owners say no

March 1, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | aboriginal issues, AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, uranium | aboriginal, antinuclear, Australia, nuclear, nuclear wastes, renewable, uranium