Monday, 5 November, 2007

Sydney Morning Herald

Voters in the marginal seat of Solomon are being told not to back the Liberal party because a nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory could "threaten Darwin harbour".

A leaflet has been distributed by a green group to homes in the electorate which covers Darwin and the satellite city of Palmerston.

It is currently held by the CLP's David Tollner with a margin of 2.8 per cent and is one of the 16 seats that Labor hopes to acquire to win government.

Campaigning by the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (ECNT) also includes radio and newspaper ads, community polling and information stalls at shopping centres and markets.

The leaflet highlights the possible threats posed to Darwin Harbour from the transport of uranium and the establishment of a radioactive waste dump in the NT.

"The NT radioactive waste dump is the thin edge of the wedge," said the ECNT's Charles Roche.

"Our harbour and our unique Territory lifestyle are all threatened by this plan.

"The election provides an opportunity to send a clear message that out community is not a dumping ground".

The leaflet says highly radioactive waste would be moved through Darwin and Palmerston in ships, trains and trucks.

It also warns voters not to believe government claims that the NT waste dump will not be used to store international nuclear waste.

"Our harbour and community will be used as a toxic corridor for some of the world's most dangerous and polluting wastes," the leaflet says.

The federal government chose the NT, where it can override territory laws, after it abandoned an outback South Australian site in the face of political opposition.

Muckaty Station, about 120km north of Tennant Creek, has been nominated by the Northern Land Council for consideration by the federal government for the national facility.

The proposed 1.5sq km site is expected to be considered along with three commonwealth defence sites, including Harts Range and Mount Everard near Alice Springs and Fishers Ridge near Katherine.

If elected, federal Labor has committed to overturning the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act, which was passed last year and paves the way for the dump to go ahead.

Comment is being sought from the Liberals.