Friday, 28 September, 2007

ABC Radio Australia

Australia's Northern Territory government says the Commonwealth is continuing to treat its territory rights harshly, by selecting an Aboriginal cattle station as a potential site for a national nuclear waste facility.

The Federal Science Minister, Julie Bishop, has accepted the nomination of Muckaty Station, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek.

It brings to four the number of potential sites the government has to select from for the waste facility.

Muckaty was nominated by the Northern Land Council and if selected traditional owners will receive a $A12 million package.

Ms Bishop is confident the traditional owners were properly consulted.

But The Northern Territory Chief Minister, Clare Martin, argues the acceptance of Muckaty was a flawed process.

A report on all four sites is expected to be handed to the Federal Government early next year.