Western Australia's peak environment group has condemned new laws that have been pushed through Federal Parliament that pave the way for radioactive waste dumps to be imposed on local communities.

The National Radioactive Waste Management Bill overrides State environment and Aboriginal heritage legislation and removes the right of State Governments to prevent the siting of Commonwealth radioactive waste dumps.

Conservation Council Director Piers Verstegen said "This appalling legislation cannot be sugar-coated. It is intended to do one thing and that is to remove the rights of Australian communities to oppose the location of radioactive waste dumps in their backyards.

"Radioactive waste has long term environmental and health impacts and management issues. Communities and States have a right to reject this dangerous industry and the unacceptable legacy of radioactive waste that it produces.

"Plans to dump radioactive waste in Cooper Pedy under the Howard Government failed because of strong Indigenous and State opposition.

"Now the Gillard Government is targeting Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory for a National radioactive waste dump despite strong local oppositional from Traditional Owners.

"With this new legislation paving the way, it could be just a matter of time before Western Australian communities are similarly targeted for radioactive waste dumps.

"At the Commonwealth level, both major parties are taking the same approach in their support for the nuclear industry: if there is community opposition, override it or ignore it. Now the Gillard Government have demonstrated they are actually prepared to enshrine that approach in legislation.

"With the passage of this appalling Bill, The Gillard Government has been prepared to debase our highest institution of State by legislating for special treatment for the nuclear industry at the expense of Australian communities.

"This situation shows all too clearly why we should reject uranium mining in Western Australia. The nuclear industry does not have support from the community and its wastes and by-products cannot be managed safely.

"The only way the nuclear industry can operate in Australia and globally is with ongoing taxpayer subsidies and Governments that are prepared to override and ignore the legitimate concerns of citizens.

"There is a scary parallel between this legislation and the Barnett Government's refusal to hold an open public inquiry to determine if its pro-uranium mining policy is in Western Australia's public interest.