THE Northern Territory government has accused the Commonwealth of exploiting ''political expediency'' by pushing ahead with plans for a nuclear waste dump in the Top End.

After seven years in the planning, a nuclear dump at the remote Muckaty cattle station, more than 120 kilometres from Tennant Creek, is still caught in red tape and subject to a Federal Court challenge by traditional owners.

Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said the government would respect the outcome of the Federal Court's decision and not act until the court case was resolved.

But local opposition to the plan has not waned. Yesterday, the Maritime Union of Australia led a passionate protest at Darwin Port against the plan, calling for a full and independent inquiry into the proposal.

Northern Territory Lands and Planning Minister Gerry McCarthy told The Age the decision to use the NT for a national waste dump site had been based on political expediency, not science.

'The Commonwealth should go back and base its decision on science. It should also consult with territorians and not exploit our weaker constitutional position for its political expediency.'

NT union organiser Thomas Mayor said the MUA resolved at its February national conference to support traditional owners who have been dismayed by the prospect of nuclear waste on their lands. 'The MUA is very concerned that our members would have to handle this waste when it enters the Port of Darwin, bound for Muckaty, when the emergency response capabilities in Darwin do not exist for such a dangerous cargo,' he said. 'We're not so much saying there shouldn't be a nuclear waste dump anywhere, but we're opposing it in the absence of an independent and transparent inquiry into the science and world's best practice.'

The protest marks seven years since then-science minister Brendan Nelson named three Defence sites in the Northern Territory as potential locations for Australia's first purpose-built radioactive waste facility. Defending the plan, Dr Nelson told the ABC, 'If the people of Sydney can comfortably live with a nuclear reactor that conducts research and produces isotopes for industry and for medical use, why on earth can't people in the middle of nowhere have low-level and intermediate-level waste?'

But Muckaty area traditional owner Bunny Nabarula, 83, said she, too, wanted to enjoy her local area.

'We don't want any waste stored in our country, we're thinking about our children, our grandchildren and the country. We want to be able to enjoy our country, not have it spoiled.'

Earlier this year legislation was passed naming Muckaty as the only place now under active consideration.