Muckaty station, the proposed site for Australia’s first purpose-built radioactive storage facility is located 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in what turns out to be a very interesting geo-political position. 

Although situated a good deal closer to the Central Land Council (CLC) base of operations in Alice Springs, this country is managed on behalf of the traditional owners by the Darwin-based Northern Land Council (NLC).

The NLC remains adamant that its consultations with the relevant traditional owners - the Ngapa people - which preceded the 2007 nomination of the land as a prospective waste dump site were “comprehensive”. 

However considerable disquiet about the proposed arrangements has been expressed from a number of different quarters.

A recent meeting in Tennant Creek became a rallying point for the anti-dump forces. 

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam attended the meeting, and told AAP that not one of the 100-plus people who were present expressed support for the dump. 

TT recently caught up with anti-nuclear campaigner Nat Wasley in Darwin. 

Wasley presented us with a copy of a petition against the siting of the dump at Muckaty, which was sent to Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson in May 2009. 

The petition includes the signatures of more than 20 Ngapa people, as well as those of traditional owners from a number of other groups in the Muckaty area.

Ferguson is the federal minister at the centre of the storm. 

Apparently paid by the word, Ferguson recently offered the following “explanation” at a Canberra door-stop: 

“In terms of actually going forward, I also have received a voluntary nomination which basically was put on the table by the Ngapa people with respect to the Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory by the Northern Land Council, as required by law by the Northern Land Council during the previous parliament. 

“In terms of that deed of arrangement I am required to further consider that matter in good faith.”

Here in the Territory, the local ALP mob are going through a ritualised “kicking and screaming” exercise, so that they can saddle their commonwealth comrades with any ultimate decision to locate a waste dump in the NT. 

NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson has issued a media release stating that he “opposes federal legislation that allows a waste dump to be imposed on the Territory because of constitutional weakness.” 

But he’s also said that he “will not allow one issue to jeopardise the healthy relationship we have with Canberra”. 

There will be no falling on swords.

TT reckons it’s an ugly situation, when people anywhere are forced to contemplate giving up their land in exchange for housing, and for schools for their children. 

It’s not a proposition that would find favour in the capitals of the eastern seaboard, where such things are taken for granted.

Aboriginal parents on remote communities - like parents everywhere - want the best for their kids and when their land is the only thing they have to trade we should be slow to pass judgement. 

If a deal has to be done, then TT hopes that NLC will ensure that it is as lucrative as possible for the local mob.