Wednesday, 14 February, 2007

by Senator Trish Crossin
Media Release

Under questioning by Senator Crossin in Senate Estimates Wednesday officials confirmed that parts from the recently decommissioned Lucas Heights reactor will be dumped in the NT but they had no idea of the volume.

"This seems to contradict assurances given on the day of the decommissioning by Lucas Heights staff that none of the old reactor was coming to the NT" Senator Crossin said.

"It is concerning that while the Government is hell bent on building new reactors that details of decommissioning our oldest reactor, such as the volume of intermediate waste and the storing of its radioactive parts, are so vague.

"Officials also confirmed their meeting 'in the vicinity of Tennant Creek' last week, believed to be at Renner Springs, between their staff and Northern Land Council members to discuss a possible waste dump site nomination.

"The officials then invoked a confidentiality agreement requested by Northern Land Council and they refused to answer more questions.

"They also invoked the confidentiality agreement when asked about any incentives being offered by the Federal Government to secure a waste dump site on Aboriginal land.

"The consultant's report on the three NT defence sites chosen as possible radioactive dump sites by the government is expected to be handed to the government in late March.

"The report also examines the suitability of transport routes to each of the sites but officials believed there had been no discussion of the routes with NT Emergency Services" Senator Crossin said.