Antinuclear

Martin Ferguson’s cynical National Radioactive Waste Management Bill

The law overrides state, territory and local government laws and allows Resource Minister Martin Ferguson to disregard key environmental and Indigenous safeguards….“Any attempt to apply this law will be actively resisted.  The Muckaty dump plan is a bad deal but it is not a done deal.”

Radioactive waste law ‘cynical and irresponsible’, by Dave Sweeney 24 Feb 2011, Legislation designed to smooth the way for the construction of a national radioactive dump on contested Indigenous land at Muckaty, north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, is improper, irresponsible and a broken promise, the Australian Conservation Foundation said today.

The National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, which passed the House of Representatives today, but was not supported by any of the Independents or the Greens, is virtually a carbon copy of Howard government legislation described by Labor in Opposition as sordid, arrogant and draconian.

The law overrides state, territory and local government laws and allows Resource Minister Martin Ferguson to disregard key environmental and Indigenous safeguards.

“This cynical and irresponsible legislation attempts to manage Australia’s highest level radioactive waste by imposing it on some of the country’s most disadvantaged people,” said ACF nuclear free campaigner Dave Sweeney.

“Labor promised to end a decade of division by doing things differently and better.

“Instead the ALP has revived the divisive and discredited approach of the Howard era and ignored growing community concern and opposition.”

While some members of the Muckaty Land Trust support a national waste dump in return for cash benefits and access to improved services, many do not.  Traditional Owners opposed to the dump plan will take legal action in the federal Court this week to try to stop the Government’s plan.

“There is no community consent for this dump plan or this heavy handed law,” Dave Sweeney said.

“The passage of Minister Ferguson’s legislation may signal the end of the parliamentary struggle against the waste dump, but it marks the start of a major new campaign.

“Any attempt to apply this law will be actively resisted.  The Muckaty dump plan is a bad deal but it is not a done deal.”

Info and comment: Dave Sweeney 0408 317 812 www.dumpthedump.org.au

February 24, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics