Wednesday, 24 January, 2007

by Natalie Wasley
Arid Lands Environment Centre

The announcement of NT Senator Nigel Scullion yesterday as Federal Minister for Community Services has bemused environmentalists in the Territory who are campaigning against the proposal to dump Commonwealth radioactive waste in the outback .

"Nigel Scullion has been appointed Community Services Minister, yet he blatantly reneged on his promise to communities in his own constituency, to 'stand up for the Territory' and oppose a waste dump," stated Natalie Wasley from the Arid Lands Environment Centre.

"It was a complete disservice to the NT when Senator Scullion did not cross the floor against the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act that has allowed the Federal Government to impose the dump here. Despite saying a radioactive waste dump would never be put in the Territory 'on his watch', he actively supported legislative changes designed to expedite the process".

Ms Wasley added, "hopefully in his new Ministerial position, Nigel Scullion will come to understand that an important aspect of community service is facilitating informed and participatory decision making and not imposing radioactive materials on vulnerable communities."