Friday, 19 October, 2007

NT News

LABOR has accused the Commonwealth Government of planning to build a nuclear power station in Darwin.

But CLP Member for Solomon David Tollner ruled out nuclear power for the foreseeable future.
Labor candidate Damian Hale circulated flyers to Darwin and Palmerston homes suggesting Mr Tollner and the Howard Government intend to build a nuclear reactor "in your suburb".

The flyer depicts a family enjoying a sunset at East Point with nuclear cooling towers in the background.

Mr Tollner said the flyer was "absurd".

"It is hugely unlikely that a nuclear reactor will be built in the Northern Territory in the foreseeable future," he said.

The Territory's total transmission system requires 250MW of power, but a nuclear power reactor generates 1000MW of power.

"It's massive overkill," he said. "It's fear-mongering at its worst."

The Commonwealth Government plans to build 25 nuclear reactors around Australia by 2050.

"Who knows what the future will bring in 50 years, but for now, I'm talking about the next term of government and I can't see the Territory population quadrupling in three years' time," Mr Tollner said.

Mr Hale said the Territory was one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in Australia and he planned to push forward with this growth.

"This growth in industry is going to put demands on our power grid," he said.

Mr Hale said Mr Tollner promised there would be no nuclear waste dump in the Territory during the 2004 election -- "and now it looks like we'll have one".

"He's got form," Mr Hale said.

"Is he going to be able to stand up to the Prime Minister and his colleagues and say he cannot put a nuclear power plant in the Northern Territory?"