CLP Seeks To Fudge Nuclear Waste Motion

The Territory Opposition will today seek to amend a Martin Government motion on the Federal Government's proposal to establish a nuclear waste facility in the Northern Territory.

"The motion as presented is poorly worded, inaccurate and contains significant omissions,” says Jodeen Carney, Leader of the Opposition.

"The mistakes begin in clause (a) which implies there is Australia-wide opposition to the establishment of a nuclear waste facility in the Northern Territory. Surely the Martin Government isn't suggesting the rest of Australia is opposed to locating the waste facility in the Northern Territory. Hence clause (a) is deleted from our amended version.

"Clause (b) reads as if there will be a national nuclear waste facility in the Territory before the next Federal election. As there won't be, that clause should actually congratulate the Federal Government for keeping its 2004 election promise. We will amend that clause accordingly.

"Clause (c) wants a referendum on any new nuclear facility in Australia. Does that include facilities using isotopes and x-ray machines? If so the Martin Government wants a referendum on the promised oncology unit at RDH. What about any new uranium mines in the Territory? I think we can assume that's another error in construction and have dropped it from our version.

"Perhaps most importantly the motion makes no reference to how we are going to deal with the nuclear waste currently stored under Royal Darwin Hospital.

"We think it's vital that the nuclear waste currently stored at RDH be transferred to a secure facility to minimise the threat it poses to the people of Darwin. Hence our amendment to have the Territory Government request permission to use the national waste facility once it's established.

"The CLP applauds the Prime Minister's commitment to allowing Australians a direct vote on the establishment of nuclear power facilities in their region.

"That's quite different from the matter of dealing with the by-product of cancer treatment.

"The CLP remains disappointed that the Territory has been chosen as the site of the proposed national facility, but believe we need to make the best out of the situation.”

2007-08-28