'Dump the dump' call
Koori Mail
OPPONENTS of a possible nuclear waste dump at Muckaty, north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, have delivered more than 2500 petitions to the Melbourne electorate office of Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson.
Although some traditional owners backed by the Northern Land Council have nominated Muckaty for such a dump, others have joined forces with the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) to lobby the Federal Government against it.
They say they were not properly consulted about the site's nomination and have started legal action against the threat of such a dump on their land.
ACF nuclear free campaigner Dave Sweeney was accompanied by residents from Mr Ferguson's Batman electorate to deliver the petitions on 18 November.
The petitions build on a 'Dump the Dump' campaign started before the Federal election. In recent months, opponents have also erected a publicly-funded billboard on a busy Melbourne street, and placed advertisements in local papers.
The campaign seeks to put a human face that of Aboriginal traditional owners to the campaign for a new approach to possible dump site selection based on 'sound science, best process and community consent'.
"Muckaty is a long way from where I live and work but I believe we all have rights and responsibilities for the equitable treatment of all Australians," the petitions read.
"Radioactive waste lasts a very long time and decisions made now will have a lasting impact on our environment and future generations."
The petitions say key documents about the dump plan have been kept from the Aboriginal people, the NT Government and community and the Australian Parliament.
"It is not acceptable for dirty business like radioactive waste to also be secret business," the petitions continue.
"In 2010 we expect and demand a more open and mature approach than trucking the nation's radioactive waste to a remote and disputed dump on Aboriginal land.
"This 'out of sight-out of mind' approach is out of step with Federal Government policies and promises, out of step with international practice and standards and out of step with people's right to a fair hearing and a fair go.
"Radioactive waste came before you and will outlast you. As a nation, we must get radioactive waste management right and the proposed approach is wrong.
"Please stop using your Federal powers to override the widespread State and Territory and local government opposition to this plan."
Mr Sweeney said the message to Mr Ferguson was simple.
"This issue is not out of sight and not out of mind and many people in this region do not support or accept this plan to push a radioactive waste dump on an unwilling community," he said.
"Minister Ferguson's dump plan is irresponsible, divisive and out of step with both international best practice and local community opinion.
"It's a bad plan that is based on a broken promise. Instead of trying to dump and run we need to develop effective, responsible and lasting ways to manage Australia's radioactive waste."