"When in opposition Labor said Howard's Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 was "extreme, arrogant, heavy-handed, draconian, sorry, sordid, extraordinary and profoundly shameful," said Australian Greens nuclear spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam.

"It's sorry, sordid, extraordinary and profoundly shameful that the government voted against it's own election promise and party platform to repeal this legislation today."

"Chapter 5 of the ALP's own National Platform also promises to repeal this Act and to establish a process on radioactive waste that is scientific, transparent, accountable, fair and allows access to appeal mechanisms. Shamefully, the government voted against this too."

"The government dominated Environment Communication and the Arts (ECA) Committee Inquiry found numerous and fundamental flaws in the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 and recommended in December 2008 that it be repealed ."

"The Committee called for replacement legislation to be introduced into the Parliament in the autumn 2009. We haven't seen it. This motion was simply reminding the government of their own commitments and policy, and asking for an update. But that's too much democracy for Martin Ferguson who is conducting this process behind closed doors."

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Motion on the repeal of the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005

To move - That the Senate-

Notes that:

i) An Environment Communication and the Arts (ECA) Committee Inquiry found numerous and fundamental flaws in the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 and recommended in December 2008 that it be repealed;

ii) The Committee called for replacement legislation to be introduced into the Parliament in the autumn 2009 sittings that would be based on principles of rigorous consultation, voluntary consent, environmental credibility, and which utilises best practice models tested internationally.
Calls on the Australian government to:

i. Repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act and introduce replacement legislation as outlined in ALP policy and subsequently recommended by the Committee;
ii. Deliver a process on radioactive waste that is scientific, transparent, accountable, fair and allows access to appeal mechanisms, which is both an election promise and a stated policy position of the ALP;

iii. Update the Senate as to the government's intended timetable for the introduction of the repeal and replacement legislation.

Media contact: Robert Simms - 0417 174 302