The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed a Senate inquiry report that recommends scrapping heavy handed laws designed to fast track the dumping of radioactive waste on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.

 

Today’s Senate report recommends the prompt repeal of the unpopular Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act (CRWMA) and an end to plans to impose a dump on the NT community.

 

“This report should end a decade of deceit and division on this issue and set the basis for the development of a responsible, credible and inclusive approach to radioactive waste management in Australia,” said ACF nuclear free campaigner Dave Sweeney.

 

“It’s not the end of the story but it is the start of a far better chapter and a welcome Christmas bonus, especially to the people of the NT.

 

“The previous government tried to impose a dump on either South Australia or the NT and failed. It’s time for a new approach to handling radioactive waste and a full, public and independent examination of the best management options.”

 

The report by the Senate standing committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts says Australia’s national radioactive waste management regime must be:

·                based on voluntary engagement, not coercion

·                legally fair, equitable and transparent

·                based on trust built through stakeholder engagement

·                grounded in sound science and best practice

 

“Radioactive waste lasts a lot longer than a politician’s promise.  We need to rebuild community confidence, procedural integrity and scientific credibility and develop the framework for a responsible approach to the long term human and environmental health hazards posed by radioactive in Australia. ACF calls on the government to adopt the inquiry’s recommendations,” Mr Sweeney said.