The No Waste Alliance is a network of community groups comprising concerned individuals and representatives of stakeholder organisations. The Alliance formed in response to Dr Brendan Nelson's announcement in July 2005 that, contrary to federal government promises during the previous federal and NT elections, the NT has been targeted for a radioactive waste dump. The No Waste Alliance aims to give Territorians information and options for action in response to the unwanted long-lived pollution presented by the nuclear industry.
No time to waste: environment and medical groups demand action on election promise
A consortium of national environment and medical groups has written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd demanding immediate repeal of the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act (CRWMA) and national community consultation in radioactive waste decision-making processes.
The letter, signed by prominent groups including Friends of the Earth Australia, Greenpeace, The Wilderness Society, the Public Health Association of Australia and the Medical Association for Prevention of War, calls for Labor to fulfill its election promise to dump the CRWMA and for all four sites currently under assessment for a federal radioactive dump to be withdrawn.
Natalie Wasley, Beyond Nuclear Initiative Campaigner in Alice Springs stated: "There was an unequivocal commitment from the ALP to repeal this draconian and undemocratic law. Prime Minister Rudd and Resources Minister Ferguson’s inaction on this issue flies in the face of both a clear election promise and National ALP party platform."
Dr Jim Green, Friends of the Earth Australia nuclear campaigner added, "In Opposition, Labor described the Waste Management Act as 'extreme', 'arrogant', 'draconian', 'sordid' and 'profoundly shameful'. It says a lot about Martin Ferguson that he has not repealed this racist legislation and it is time for the Prime Minister to haul this maverick minister into line. The Prime Minister apologised for racist laws during the national apology on February 13 and promised to 'turn a new page'. His words now reek of hypocrisy."
Dr Hilary Tyler from the Medical Association for the Prevention of War (NT Branch) said: "The Labor government appears to be repeating the pattern of putting political expediency ahead of public health considerations with its mismanagement of the radioactive waste dump controversy. The government ought to rethink its position on nuclear waste dumping and also revisit the alleged 'need' for the Lucas Heights reactor - the primary source of the radioactive waste. Labor MPs including Jenny Macklin are on record acknowledging that there is no need for a reactor in Australia for medical or scientific needs."
The CRWMA removes all rights to "procedural fairness"; allows the imposition of a nuclear waste dump in the absence of any consultation with or consent from Aboriginal Traditional Owners; overrides the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 and the Native Title Act 1993; overrides NT laws prohibiting transport and storage of nuclear waste; and undermines a raft of environmental, public health and safety laws.
The letter calls for the government to not pursue any Territory sites and direct the money allocated in the recent Federal Budget to be used for a national study of waste management options.
A consortium of national environment and medical groups has written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd demanding immediate repeal of the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act (CRWMA) and national community consultation in radioactive waste decision-making processes.
The letter, signed by prominent groups including Friends of the Earth Australia, Greenpeace, The Wilderness Society, the Public Health Association of Australia and the Medical Association for Prevention of War, calls for Labor to fulfill its election promise to dump the CRWMA and for all four sites currently under assessment for a federal radioactive dump to be withdrawn.
Natalie Wasley, Beyond Nuclear Initiative Campaigner in Alice Springs stated: "There was an unequivocal commitment from the ALP to repeal this draconian and undemocratic law. Prime Minister Rudd and Resources Minister Ferguson’s inaction on this issue flies in the face of both a clear election promise and National ALP party platform."
Dr Jim Green, Friends of the Earth Australia nuclear campaigner added, "In Opposition, Labor described the Waste Management Act as 'extreme', 'arrogant', 'draconian', 'sordid' and 'profoundly shameful'. It says a lot about Martin Ferguson that he has not repealed this racist legislation and it is time for the Prime Minister to haul this maverick minister into line. The Prime Minister apologised for racist laws during the national apology on February 13 and promised to 'turn a new page'. His words now reek of hypocrisy."
Dr Hilary Tyler from the Medical Association for the Prevention of War (NT Branch) said: "The Labor government appears to be repeating the pattern of putting political expediency ahead of public health considerations with its mismanagement of the radioactive waste dump controversy. The government ought to rethink its position on nuclear waste dumping and also revisit the alleged 'need' for the Lucas Heights reactor - the primary source of the radioactive waste. Labor MPs including Jenny Macklin are on record acknowledging that there is no need for a reactor in Australia for medical or scientific needs."
The CRWMA removes all rights to "procedural fairness"; allows the imposition of a nuclear waste dump in the absence of any consultation with or consent from Aboriginal Traditional Owners; overrides the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 and the Native Title Act 1993; overrides NT laws prohibiting transport and storage of nuclear waste; and undermines a raft of environmental, public health and safety laws.
The letter calls for the government to not pursue any Territory sites and direct the money allocated in the recent Federal Budget to be used for a national study of waste management options.