[Greens-Media] Dump the Radioactive Waste Management Act, Greens release letter from NT Chief Minister to Rudd

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Dump the Radioactive Waste Management Act
Greens release letter from NT Chief Minister to Rudd

The Rudd government should keep its election promise to rule out a radioactive dump in the Northern Territory by announcing when it will repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005, Senator Scott Ludlam, Australian Greens nuclear spokesperson said in Canberra today.

"Labor was strongly against this legislation when it was forced through the Senate - they must not forget about it now they are the Government," Senator Ludlam said.

 "When the Act was forced through the Senate, Labor described it as, 'extreme, arrogant, heavy-handed, draconian, sorry, sordid, extraordinary and profoundly shameful'. The Greens agree with the Labor's assessment and we call on the Prime Minister to repeal the Act immediately."

Senator Ludlam said he had asked Resources Minister Martin Ferguson had so far ducked the issues.

"The Rudd government promised a "scientific, transparent, accountable and fair" method of addressing radioactive waste issues, ensuring "full community consultation," but one year later we have no timeline and no action from the government."

"The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Paul Henderson, has also written to Kevin Rudd stating the Northern Territory's opposition in the strongest terms and seeking confirmation of the government's commitment and proposed timing of the repeal. He reminded the Prime Minister that as soon as the Commonwealth legislation is repealed, the Northern Territory's legislation that prohibits nuclear dumping will come into effect. "

"All of Australia is waiting for the answer."

"Nobody wants nuclear waste. The answer is to stop creating it. But in the meantime the Prime Minister should announce the timetable for delivering this election promise immediately," Senator Ludlam said.

Both the NT Chief Minister's letter and the Question on Notice are available to download at http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/

Further information: Felicity Hill 0417 174 302


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Ebony Bennett
Media Advisor 
Senator Bob Brown | Leader of the Australian Greens 
e: ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au 
m: 0409 164 603 | p: (02) 6277 3170 | f: (02) 6277 3185
w: www.bobbrown.org.au <http://www.bobbrown.org.au/>   <http://www.greens.org.au>