NT: Henderson writes to Rudd and says no dump for territory
Tara Ravens
AAP
Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson has written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, urging him to make good on an election promise to repeal legislation paving the way for a nuclear waste dump in the Territory.
In the lead-up to last November's federal election, the Labor Party committed to overturn the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act, which was passed in 2006 and enables the facility to go ahead.
As the clock ticks down to the NT poll on Saturday, it has emerged that Mr Henderson sent a letter last month urging Mr Rudd to act urgently on his commitment.
The letter says the NT government has "openly and consistently" opposed the Howard government's decision to build a waste facility at one of four sites in the Territory.
These include Muckaty Station, about 120km north of Tennant Creek, and Commonwealth defence land at Harts Range, Mount Everard and Fishers Ridge.
NT Treasurer Delia Lawrie last night read Mr Henderson's letter to a gathering of concerned environmentalists in Darwin.
"I now write to reiterate my government's continued opposition to the siting of a nuclear waste dump in the Territory," it says.
"(I) request that you urgently move to honour federal Labor's commitment to repeal all laws overriding the Territory's express prohibition against a nuclear waste dump."
The letter refers to the legislation as a "new low in commonwealth-territory relations".
"Territorians were heartened prior to the recent federal election by a clear assurance that federal Labor would move to repeal these laws and would base their decision around a consensual process," it said.
Mr Henderson also noted in his letter that the NT environment minister had already written to his federal counterpart earlier this year "seeking confirmation of your government's commitment and proposed timing of this process".
The Rudd government has consistently denied it has made a decision on where the dump will go and has insisted it is waiting for the findings of an independent report.
The Australian Conservation Foundation has also challenged both political parties in the Northern Territory to also rule out any new uranium mines in the region, which is home to a quarter of the world's known uranium resources.
"Territorians should use this election to demand a clean energy future, not a radioactive future - green collar jobs, not toxic jobs," anti-nuclear campaigner Adele Pedder said.
Ms Pedder called on Mr Henderson and the Country Liberals to scrap plans for the Angela and Pamela uranium mine, about 25km from Alice Springs.
"Uranium mining is unsafe, unnecessary and unwanted in the NT," Ms Pedder said.
"At this election, all candidates should state their opposition to any push from Canberra to impose a nuclear waste dump on the Territory and should rule out any new NT uranium mines."
Not all environmentalists have been disappointed by the state of play.
Environment Centre NT coordinator Charles Roche said he was pleased with the Territory campaign's strong green focus.
"Recognition by the Country Liberals of the need to protect and manage the territory's environment is a welcome change and represents a turning point," he said.
In the lead-up to last November's federal election, the Labor Party committed to overturn the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act, which was passed in 2006 and enables the facility to go ahead.
As the clock ticks down to the NT poll on Saturday, it has emerged that Mr Henderson sent a letter last month urging Mr Rudd to act urgently on his commitment.
The letter says the NT government has "openly and consistently" opposed the Howard government's decision to build a waste facility at one of four sites in the Territory.
These include Muckaty Station, about 120km north of Tennant Creek, and Commonwealth defence land at Harts Range, Mount Everard and Fishers Ridge.
NT Treasurer Delia Lawrie last night read Mr Henderson's letter to a gathering of concerned environmentalists in Darwin.
"I now write to reiterate my government's continued opposition to the siting of a nuclear waste dump in the Territory," it says.
"(I) request that you urgently move to honour federal Labor's commitment to repeal all laws overriding the Territory's express prohibition against a nuclear waste dump."
The letter refers to the legislation as a "new low in commonwealth-territory relations".
"Territorians were heartened prior to the recent federal election by a clear assurance that federal Labor would move to repeal these laws and would base their decision around a consensual process," it said.
Mr Henderson also noted in his letter that the NT environment minister had already written to his federal counterpart earlier this year "seeking confirmation of your government's commitment and proposed timing of this process".
The Rudd government has consistently denied it has made a decision on where the dump will go and has insisted it is waiting for the findings of an independent report.
The Australian Conservation Foundation has also challenged both political parties in the Northern Territory to also rule out any new uranium mines in the region, which is home to a quarter of the world's known uranium resources.
"Territorians should use this election to demand a clean energy future, not a radioactive future - green collar jobs, not toxic jobs," anti-nuclear campaigner Adele Pedder said.
Ms Pedder called on Mr Henderson and the Country Liberals to scrap plans for the Angela and Pamela uranium mine, about 25km from Alice Springs.
"Uranium mining is unsafe, unnecessary and unwanted in the NT," Ms Pedder said.
"At this election, all candidates should state their opposition to any push from Canberra to impose a nuclear waste dump on the Territory and should rule out any new NT uranium mines."
Not all environmentalists have been disappointed by the state of play.
Environment Centre NT coordinator Charles Roche said he was pleased with the Territory campaign's strong green focus.
"Recognition by the Country Liberals of the need to protect and manage the territory's environment is a welcome change and represents a turning point," he said.