THE Northern Territory is set to house a national radioactive waste dump, after the federal Coalition resolved to support government legislation.

Opposition energy spokesman Nick Minchin said yesterday the Coalition had long recognised the need for a central repository, but when in government had its efforts frustrated by state Labor governments.

The government is considering Muckaty Station, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the NT, as the site for the dump.

The Australian Conservation Foundation's Dave Sweeney said the government had simply ''rebadged'' the Coalition's policy.