Lyn Allison (Victoria, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

I point out to the minister that this is not only about importing waste; this is about any high-level waste, including the high-level waste that might come from the 25 nuclear power reactors the government’s report has canvassed. This is not about grandstanding. It is not even fanciful, Minister, given that this has been very much a hot debate that has been underway for the last few weeks. It is not unreasonable for us—or, particularly, for Northern Territorians—to be interested in whether high-level radioactive waste material might be on its way to the Northern Territory and to the dump there.

I am aware that it is not legal at this point in time for Australia to import high-level radioactive waste, but it may well generate some itself. As the minister knows, it is perfectly appropriate for us to ban some future event. The minister well knows that governments can change such bans and commonly do. So, to suggest that we must not pass a law or an amendment to a law which would oblige future governments to a particular course of action is, I would say, really quite fanciful. Minister, I think you are the one who is grandstanding on this issue. We just want to know where the government stands on high-level radioactive waste material.

We understand and support the purpose of this amendment bill—that is, to charge ANSTO with the task of managing the waste which is headed for this dump—but I think it would be reassuring for Australians to know that your intention is not for ANSTO to also manage high-level waste that comes from facilities other than Lucas Heights or health or medical facilities that currently operate in Australia. The amendment the Democrats have moved makes sure that there is no hidden agenda and no intention that high-level waste from anywhere else, including those 25 reactors that might or might not be coming, ends up in the Northern Territory.