Antinuclear

Labor’s “captain’s pick” Northern Territory candidate opposes Muckaty nuclear waste dump

Nova happy to spoil the party, NT News  XAVIER LA CANNA   |  August 1st, 2013 LABOR’S “captain’s pick” Senate candidate Nova Peris said she would have crossed the floor to oppose the Muckaty nuclear waste dump – and would vote against her party if she felt strongly about other issues.

Ms Peris said the Muckaty nuclear waste dump – planned to be built near Tennant Creek – was one area where she would go against Labor Party policy.

“I met with the anti-nuclear campaign people and I also met with the NT environment mob, and I have met with the Tennant Creek residents, I have met with the unions and I have met with three of the traditional owner groups,” Ms Peris told the NT News .

“In my view I do stand with them in opposing that (nuclear dump).”

The Muckaty nuclear waste dump has been planned to be built near Tennant Creek and has been supported by both Labor and the Coalition.

Some traditional owners from Muckaty are fighting the decision to have the dump located at the site, and the issue is being decided by the Federal Court. Legislation enabling the Muckaty nuclear waste facility has been passed by the parliament, but Ms Peris said she would have crossed the floor to vote against it.

Ms Peris added that on exceptional issues where there was a clear message coming from the people of the NT that was different to that decided by the ALP caucus she would side with the people of the Territory.

Asked if she would cross the floor on issues she felt passionate about she said: “If I felt passionate and that was the right way to do it, then yes.”

If elected to the senate she would not be speaking for herself, but on behalf of Territorians, she said…….

Ms Peris was named by Julia Gillard as a “captain’s pick” to be the ALP’s top choice to be a senator in the NT.

The move was later endorsed by the ALP National Executive, meaning Ms Peris’s election to the Senate is all but guaranteed. http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/08/01/323458_ntnews.html

August 1, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | election 2013