There is no doubt that Australia needs somewhere to store nuclear debris safely.

After all, we create the waste - almost solely through life-saving nuclear medicine - and, therefore, have an obligation to dispose of it in a proper manner.

But a federal scientific report found that the best site was in South Australia.

The SA State Government - motivated by politics, not science or environmental concerns - fought the decision and won.

The Territory has no such constitutional power and has no choice but to accept the dump.

Having said that, much of the opposition to the nuclear waste depository is hysterical - and hypocritical.

Some of those involved in the campaign were happy to show federal scientists around their land as a potential site - only to come out in opposition when Canberra decided on another spot.

The traditional owners of Muckaty are to be paid many millions of dollars for renting their empty stretch of land to Canberra for the dump.

The Electrical Trades Union, which expels members who work at uranium mines, says the depository "shouldn't be built anywhere in Australia".

The truth is that the depository will be built - and will provide jobs and wealth for Tennant Creek.