Desert dump is no answer to nuclear weapons problem

MEDIA RELEASE


July 2, 2007

Desert dump is no answer to nuclear weapons problem


The Arid Lands Environment Centre in Alice Springs says promoting Australia
as the world’s nuclear waste dump is not the answer to the problem of
nuclear weapons and terrorism.


The call follows reports in the Australian newspaper (2/7/07) that former US
ambassador Robert Gallucci is advocating Australia as a potential global
radioactive waste dump to address proliferation concerns.


“The best way to ensure nuclear materials do not end up in weapons is by
stopping the mining and exporting of uranium and getting serious about
nuclear disarmament,” said Natalie Wasley, the Beyond Nuclear Initiative
campaigner at ALEC.


“A desert dump cannot be touted as the answer to securing nuclear weapons
material when Australia is still exporting uranium to countries not
complying with their disarmament obligations under the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty”.


Ms Wasley says any plans for an international dump would be met with strong
resistance around the country. “The plan for a federal dump in the Territory
is strongly opposed by targeted communities, the NT Government, national
environment groups and many citizens”.


“The current waste dump plan is already failing due process in the search to
secure a site and there is little confidence that any international waste
dump would be based on community consultation or have any regard for
environmental, social and cultural concerns.


"Despite the rhetoric of Australia being the most geologically suitable
location for a dump one of the proposed sites , Muckaty station north of
Tennant Creek, is within a seismically active zone”.


“From the outset, the communities targeted for the Federal dump were
concerned that an NT dump would be expanded to host high level international
materials,” said Ms Wasley. “It is time for the government to come clean on
its full plans for radioactive waste.”


Opposition from Australian states to the federal radioactive dump means it
is highly unlikely they would welcome an international one. “Once again it
would be remote and indigenous communities in the Territory who are forced
to take the toxic waste – this time from around the world. The federal
government’s plan is the thin edge of a radioactive wedge and we will not
sit back and let this happen”.


Contact: Natalie Wasley 0429 900 774
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Beyond Nuclear Initiative
Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC)
John Cumming Plaza, 67 Todd Mall
PO box 2796,
Alice Springs, NT
Australia 0871
ph: (61) 08 8952 2011
mobile : 0429 900 774
email: natwasley@alec.org.au