Thursday 13th October 2005

Senator Nigel Scullion - CLP Senator for the Northern Territory

The Territory Government's threat to go to the High Court to delay the Commonwealth establishing a site for the storage of radioactive waste has the potential to reduce Australia to Third World health status.

A delay would severely limit the availability of life-saving
radiopharmaceuticals used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and early intervention against cancer, particularly breast cancer.

Legislation is being introduced into Federal Parliament this week to put beyond doubt the Australian Government's right to place a radioactive waste management facility in the Northern Territory.

The matter is clearly now a health issue and if the Government doesn't act the lives of many Australians in every state and territory will be jeopardised.

A critical licensing condition for the new OPAL (Open Pool Australian Light-water) medical and research nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights is that Australia must have a place to store our own reprocessed intermediate-level fuel waste due for mandatory return from Scotland and France.

A decision on the final site for the waste management facility must be made by April and a Territory Government legal challenge would take us well beyond that time.

If a decision is not made within a matter of months Australia will no
longer be allowed to produce radioactive isotopes used in hospitals throughout the country.

Australians must be guaranteed continued access to lifesaving
radiopharmaceuticals. The Government has acted to ensure those in need do not lose that access. At some stage in their life, every Australian is likely to benefit from the use of radiopharmaceuticals.

The Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Bill (2005) will prevent the Territory Government impeding the critical timeline for the establishment of the facility.

It was not the Government's choice to force this Bill on Territorians
but we can understand their determination when the health of thousands of Australians is at stake.

After a rigorous scientific process, Woomera was determined as the most suitable site for the waste facility, but the obstructionist tactics of South Australia's Rann Labor Government have forced the Commonwealth to plan to use its own land at one of three Defence sites in the Northern Territory.

We are working closely with the Government to ensure the best possible outcome for Territorians and are already negotiating some amendments to the Bill which are in the Territory's interest. It's not too late for the Martin Government to put aside its ideological differences and scaremongering tactics and work with us in the best interests of all Australians.