Traditional owners to fight nuke dump in court
Posted
A protest against the nuclear waste dump outside the NT Parliament earlier this year. (ABC Local: Michael Cavanagh)
A lawyer representing traditional owners of Muckaty Station says he will argue in court that the Federal Government has no right to select the area as the site of a nuclear waste dump.
Some traditional owners of Muckaty Station, north of Tennant Creek, say they were not properly consulted about plans to construct the waste facility.
Lawyer George Newhouse says he will be seeking a declaration against the Government's decision when the case is heard in the Federal Court on Monday.
"The nomination of Muckaty as a proposed site is void," he said.
"It is void because proper process wasn't followed and the traditional owners for that site were not consulted and did not agree."
He says the challenge against the proposal is not focused on securing compensation.
"This case is about proper processes not being followed and a nomination of the site being void.
"It really isn't about, it's not a compensation claim at all."
The Territory's Labor Senator Trish Crossin says if the court case is not successful, the Federal Government has the legislation ready to proceed with the Muckaty nomination.
"If for example that court case is not successful and we proceed then with the Ngapa clan nomination, we have legislation sitting in the Senate that proceeds with that nomination."
Search ABC News
Featured Video
-
Video
Independent MP Bob Katter took time out to field questions from the Q and A audience on the eve of his decision on which side of politics to support.
-
Video
The country independents and major parties have reached an agreement on parliamentary reforms.
-
Video
Waterlogged Victorian towns are bracing for more flooding.
-
Video
Two activists have been handed one-year suspended sentences for stealing a box of whale meat.
The ABC News Online Investigative Unit encourages whistleblowers, and others with access to information they believe should be revealed for the public good, to contact us.
