The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Arid Lands Environment Centre have welcomed NT Labor’s commitment not to proceed with exploration and mining of a controversial uranium deposit near Alice Springs unless all outstanding health, environmental, cultural and water consumption concerns are dealt with.

 At its weekend conference Territory Labor committed to an independent inquiry into the proposed exploration of the Angela and Pamela uranium deposits. 

 “If the inquiry is not completely satisfied about all health, environmental, cultural and water consumption issues, the development will not go ahead,” said ACF nuclear free campaigner Adele Pedder.

 "Last year the ALP federal conference narrowly passed a motion overturning the no new uranium mines policy but ALP members in the NT have proved the uranium debate is far from over by convincingly passing this motion,” she said.

 “While we advocate the outright rejection of the Angela Pamela proposal, we are confident a uranium mine this close to Alice Springs could not meet a truly independent environmental impact inquiry. This is a positive first step and all other uranium proposals should come under similar scrutiny,” she said.

 “We commend the Territory ALP conference decision calling on the Federal government to reject the Muckaty Station nuclear waste dump nomination and honour its election commitment to repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act,” said ALEC Beyond Nuclear Initiative project officer Natalie Wasley.

 “We will continue working with affected communities, stakeholder groups and government to see delivery of this election commitment,” Ms Wasley said.