Greens support TOs legal fight against nuclear waste dump

The Australian Greens have pledged support for Traditional Owners from the Northern Territory as they commence a legal challenge against the Federal Government's proposed nuclear waste dump on their land near Tennant Creek.

Senator Scott Ludlam will join Muckaty Traditional Owners Dianne Stokes and Mark Lane, and Human Rights Lawyer George Newhouse at a special event in Sydney tonight to discuss the fight against the dump.

"It is unfortunate that it has come down to a legal battle, but Tradional Owners have been left with no alternative following Labor's broken 2007 election promise,"said Senator Ludlam, Greens spokesperson on nuclear issues.

"In the lead up to the last federal poll, the ALP promised to install a fair, open, transparent and accountable process to dealing with radioactive waste. Instead it has followed the previous Howard Government policy of imposing a dump on an unwilling community.

"The whole process has been a sham, and it's shameful that Labor premiers around the country have remained silent on the issue.

"They have walked away from their Labor counterpart NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson and selfishly allowed the Commonwealth to unfairly wield its constitutional muscle to override state and Territory laws.

"But the fight will continue, and people power will prevail over political expediency," Senator Ludlam said.

Media Contact: Fernando de Freitas 0417 174 302

Senator Scott Ludlam will speak at the Friends of the Earth Event: Muckaty NT Nuclear Dump
Join Muckaty Traditional Owners Dianne Stokes and Mark Lane; Human Rights Lawyer George Newhouse; Fire Brigade Employees' Union NSW Secretary Jim Casey at Fire Brigade Employees' Union Bldg, 1-7 Belmore Street, Surry Hills 6.30pm.