Time for Federal Government to deliver on radioactive waste promise
The Australian Conservation Foundation has called on the Federal Government to make public its schedule for repealing the previous government’s Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005.
“Before last year’s federal election the Labor Party promised to throw out the previous government’s flawed and undemocratic approach to storing nuclear waste,” said ACF nuclear free campaigner Adele Pedder.
“Labor promised a new approach to the management of radioactive waste, but in today’s Age Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has refused to rule out using the previous government’s undemocratic legislation.
“The people of the Northern Territory, who will be most affected by a nuclear waste dump, have been left in limbo not knowing if the dump proposal is on or off.
“It’s time the Rudd Government delivered on this commitment and told the Australian public exactly when it will repeal the enabling legislation.
“We urge the federal government to set up an independent public inquiry, like that undertaken in the UK, to consider the extent and nature of Australia’s radioactive waste inventory and work out the best options for responsible management,” Ms Pedder said.