Antinuclear

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon urges Senate to delay vote on nuclear waste dump

Senator Xenophon says the issue is live before the courts and cannot be ignored.

“The Senate should wait until the Federal Court has made its findings as to whether those who claim to be the owners of Muckaty Station, who volunteered the site, are the correct parties to do so,” he said.

Muckaty nuclear dump bill likely to pass Senate, ABC News 14 June 11 Laws to set up a nuclear waste storage facility in the Northern Territory are likely to be approved by the Senate this week, despite calls from senators for the debate to be put on hold.

The Government wants to build a national radioactive waste facility at Muckaty Station in the NT.

Under the legislation the traditional owners of the land must nominate the site but a Federal Court is yet to determine who they are.

The bill also allows for alternative sites if the Muckaty Station nomination does not go ahead.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has told the Senate the vote on the bill should be delayed until the court case has finished.

Senator Xenophon says the issue is live before the courts and cannot be ignored.

“The Senate should wait until the Federal Court has made its findings as to whether those who claim to be the owners of Muckaty Station, who volunteered the site, are the correct parties to do so,” he said.

June 16, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics