Increased momentum for a national fight against Muckaty Nuclear Waste Dump Plan
“There is growing national concern about Minister Ferguson’s decide-announce-defend approach. The Senate report does not challenge the Minister’s absolute discretion in the site selection process, which will mean continuation of the secretive and bullish process undertaken so far”.
Senate Report Increases Determination to Fight Muckaty Nuclear Dump. The Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI) says a Senate report released today on the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill is deplorable and will invigorate efforts to oppose a dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory.
The Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee report suggests only minor alterations to the waste dump legislation, despite strong criticism by legal experts, the NT Chief Minister, Muckaty Traditional Owners and the Central Land Council.
BNI spokesperson Natalie Wasley said, “many aspects of the Bill make it untenable to support. Suspension of key environmental and Aboriginal Heritage laws in the nomination phase are alarming and expose the disparity between this legislation and the ‘international best practice’ its proponents pay lip service to. Specific targeting of a Territory site and override of State and Territory laws also discredit this as a national process”.
“Essentially, this report does nothing to challenge the government’s lie that Traditional Owners support the dump and endorses draft legislation which is as thuggish and undemocratic as the Howard-era legislation it replaces”….
Ms Wasley added that the Senate report’s recommendation to preserve the Muckaty nomination without access to judicial review or procedural fairness will increase community determination to fight the proposal.
“Evidence given by Muckaty Traditional Owners at the Darwin Senate hearing was unequivocal. The nomination of Muckaty was not made with the consent of affected Traditional Owners. Legal options are currently being examined and every step of this process will be challenged.”
“There is growing national concern about Minister Ferguson’s decide-announce-defend approach. The Senate report does not challenge the Minister’s absolute discretion in the site selection process, which will mean continuation of the secretive and bullish process undertaken so far”.
“It is disgraceful that Senator Crossin is willing to support legislation which overrides the NT Parliament and ongoing opposition from NT government, Traditional Owners and the broader community.”
“BNI will continue working with Traditional Owners and community members who are opposed to the Muckaty radioactive dump and will amplify efforts to make this a national issue in the lead up to the federal election, “ Ms Wasley concluded.
No comments yet.
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 
Leave a comment