Nuclear Waste Dump

Natalie Whiting from ABC Radio 'AM' reported this story on Thursday, April 14 [node:read-more:link]

Earlier this year South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill announced that a royal commission would be held to consider the feasibility and viability as well as the risks and opportunities associated with four areas of the nuclear fuel cycle, including storage of radioactive waste.

Kevin Buzzacott, an Arabunna Elder puts it this way: 'If we look after this old country, the country will look after us ... How could I cut off my knee or part of my knee? I won't work without parts of me. Same for country. [node:read-more:link]

In the announcement made in recent days, Aboriginal communities in South Australia have suffered a 90 per cent cut to their funding. APY Lands – including Amata, Pukatja (Ernabella), Indulkana – have received no funding at all. These include big settlements as well as smaller communities and homelands. There is no funding for the Maralinga Lands. WA has accepted a one off $90 million for their 'transfer' grant and consequently announced 150 communities would be closed down. This has received much publicity, and the South Australian situation is much less known. [node:read-more:link]

Just after the land used for nuclear testing was officially handed back to its traditional owners in full, nuclear is back on the agenda at Maralinga in South Australia. Those connected to the land are worried that a new Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission announced recently will see the land flagged as a potential site for a nuclear waste dump. The daughter of Mr Lester who was blinded by tests said they want to make a submission to the commission but is worried language difficulties would stand in their way. [node:read-more:link]

Many people in Australia are in the hunt for millions of dollars as the government searches for a place to dump 14 tonnes of nuclear waste, just for starters

The waste the government is 'talking up' will be returned to Australia by the end of next year following treatment in France and the UK.

It has been reported that some First Nations people in the NT are squabbling over hosting the nuclear waste in their land. [node:read-more:link]

An Alice Springs-based group of Aborigines is pushing to revive plans to host Australia's nuclear waste 30km north of the town, with help from the Northern Territory and federal governments. The proposal has become entwined with ructions inside the powerful Central Land Council (CLC) that have seen chairman Maurie Ryan suspended for the second time this year.

Members of the group said they were recognised as traditional owners at a full CLC meeting they attended at Mr Ryan's invitation. [node:read-more:link]