In a calculated breach of a clear election commitment, the Rudd government looks set to impose a radioactive waste dump on the Northern Territory and provoke a major confrontation.

"On the basis of information we have received and from last week's Senate estimates hearings, it now appears that the Government will attempt to force the dump project on to Muckaty Station near Tennant Creek," said Scott Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

"Federal Labor strongly opposed the imposition of a radioactive dump on the Territory when in opposition, and will be condemned when they break their electoral promise to do just that.

"To move ahead with a coercive proposal against the clear objection of many local Traditional Owners and the broader NT community is treading down the same path of confrontation and failure that we've been on for 20 years," Senator Ludlam concluded.